A landmark agreement for the state government to sponsor a Tasmanian NBL team is a slam dunk for the state.
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While the team will play the majority of its matches in Hobart, the deal also details that it will play a number of matches in Launceston, which will help create a truly Tasmanian NBL team.
NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman and Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein announced on Friday that the 10th licence would return to Tasmania for the 2021-22 season.
The news was released on Friday on the same day that Collingwood and Netball Tasmania confirm they will continue their Super Netball deal.
These signings are a significant step forward for two sports that have huge fan bases in the state and prove that the governing bodies have faith in the viability of these partnerships and teams.
It shows confidence in Tasmania's economy and the potential players and supporters who are involved in it. It also solidifies any player pathways, to allow Tasmanian basketball and netball players a way forward.
A team means there is a pathway out of the state and back to it for players.
The good sense of these agreements is in stark contrast to the glacier-pace of AFL House, which, despite receiving a report from the Tasmanian AFL taskforce on the viability of a Tasmanian team, have yet to announce any decision or support for a team.
The AFL has consistently said that the perceived "North-south divide" in Tasmania would work against any such Tasmanian team, but the new NBL deal flies in the face of that assumption.
A team that splits its time between Tasmania's largest centres will garner its own support in both of those locations.
As "parochial" as Tasmanians can be - that character trait could also play into the AFL's hands - as a Tasmanian team would be supported by those who live here, particularly for the young who are considering to support a home grown team or one from the mainland.
AFL House is considering its response to the task force report, but has yet to make any comment on their support for a team.
The football is literally in their court - we are waiting for your answer.