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Yes, Oceania will be on TV


BASKETBALL Australia has put spectators outside Melbourne out of their misery, CEO Anthony Moore today revealing the Oceania matches at Rod Laver Arena would be on TV.

And yes, that was matches “plural”, the Opals-Tall Ferns and Boomers-Tall Blacks games on August 15 both slated for broadcast on a commercial network.

“I’m happy to confirm we’ve done a commercial free-to-air TV deal,” Moore said.

“We’ve agreed to terms and just waiting for the contract signing.”

The announcement will follow shortly.

While Moore would not be drawn on which network would televise the two matches, he revealed the double-header would be shown in prime time.

My information is that for the first time in eons, it will be the Nine Network jumping on board but that has yet to be confirmed.

The series will be a blockbuster, with the Boomers boasting NBA regulars such as Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Aron Baynes, Dante Exum and Cam Bairstow, and New Zealand hoping to suit its NBA centre Steven Adams.

The Oklahoma City Thunder centre was non-committal when first asked whether he would play in the series, though it was asked immediately post-NBA season.

“I have no idea, mate. I haven't made any plans until like Julyish so I don't even know what's going on after that. I have got a lot of thinking to do,” Adams said.

But the dangerous big man also said he needed “to play more basketball”.

With the likes of European-based Aussies such as Ryan Broekhoff, David Andersen and Brad Newley also in the frame for the Boomers, they will suit arguably by far their best team outside an Olympics or World Cup event.

Securing Bogut's services, straight after his NBA Championship success with Golden State Warriors, is a huge plus.

At 30, he is starting to sense his window for an Olympic medal is shrinking.

“It’s very important that we win those two games,” Bogut said of the two-leg Olympic qualifiers.

“Brazil could possibly be my last Olympics so hopefully we can get there.”

While the Tall Ferns will suit their first-choice team for their two matches against the Opals, Australia will be minus its WNBA contingent.

Nonetheless, Australia still will start favourite for a series sweep, such is its ranking and standing on the world stage.

 

IN relation to continued WNBL television coverage, Moore said that BA, with the assistance of the Australian Sports Commission, was looking at the “netball style model”.

“We’re about to go to market to secure broadcast sponsors,” he said.

“My take on the pay-for-telecast model is if we’re paying for it, then we expect to be on FTA commercial TV and not pay TV.”

Jun 28

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