Indian Panthers withdraw from National Basketball League

RNZ News

22-05-2025

Photo:
RNZ / Blessen Tom
The Indian Panthers have withdrawn from the National Basketball League, acknowledging the franchise is not in a position to meet the requirements of the league to complete the season.
The Panthers accepted the franchise has not delivered what it set out to achieve and apologised to supporters and fans.
On 9 May, the Panthers were issued an ultimatum to satisfy a series of requirements within 10 days, with financial viability a key area of concern.
That deadline expired on Monday.
RNZ also revealed on Monday the South Asian players who had been recruited in the Indian Panthers squad had returned to India, a development that was confirmed by a former staff member of the franchise.
The franchise had already been suspended from the league on 1 May following a string of allegations, including contractual breaches, unpaid wages and internal disarray.
The Indian Panthers' debut season has been fraught with challenges.
The team took the court without any of the 10 Indian players initially named in the squad in its season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks on 12 March, citing international commitments.
Further disruption followed when head coach Miles Pearce resigned just two days before the Panthers' first home fixture.
Tensions reached a boiling point on 29 April, when players refused to play against the Canterbury Rams in protest over delayed payments, prompting the match to be postponed.
The situation escalated further after former Panthers player Alex Robinson Jr. posted a pointed message on Instagram, alleging he had not been paid.
Robinson has since left the team and signed with the Nelson Giants.
After nine matches without a league win, the team relocated its South Auckland base in April from Bruce Pulman Arena in Takanini to the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre in Pukekohe.
More to come ...