Basketball On The Internet.

JUST to be clear, NBL chief executive Fraser Neill today reiterated Brisbane would be represented in the league from 2015-16 onwards.

That is despite the recent departure of Graeme Watson, the former Test cricketer the NBL engaged as a specialist consultant during the expansion process. 

Involved in expansion bids for A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, AFL club GWS Giants and working with South Sydney when Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court took majority ownership of the Rabbitohs, Watson's recruitment for the NBL's expansion process was considered a coup.

His departure now has raised red flags for some but Neill said Watson's role had been completed.

"We have the expressions of interest," Neill said.

"He (Watson) laid the platform and everything out (for potential incumbents) and now we wait until October-November for the official bids.

"But the (NBL) Board has been all over me to make sure I get this message out - Brisbane will happen.

"So let me reiterate two things.

"Brisbane will happen and the others (the potential bids) are coming along."

Neill said he understood and appreciated the interest but that this now was the 'quiet period' while the potential license bidders went away with all the information, completed their due diligence and came back with their proposals for entry to the exapnded league in 2015-16.

"They have until October-November so it is going to be quiet for a few months," he said.

(Whether the Brisbane club would be called Bullets - I just used it in the headline for expediency - was one of several issues up for discussion. Go with an established brand name or start afresh? Both have merit.)

A second club in Melbourne, a club representing the state of Tasmania, a reborn Canberra Cannons and the NZ NBL's Wellington Saints are the other leading contenders for considersation to join the league.

"We have a Board meeting early next month and we should have some Blitz details after that," Neill said.

Neill is known to prefer the NBL's Preseason Blitz Tournament for the Loggins-Bruton Trophy to be staged in one of the potential new markets.