Stars Return
Tagged in: Competitions, NBL
Youthtown Auckland Stars have been re-instated after an 11th-hour protest against their disqualification from the Dominion Finance NBL playoffs.
The Stars were declared ineligible for the quarterfinals after failing to meet a deadline to complete payment of their participation fee. That deadline was extended over last weekend, the franchise had still not made the payment by lunchtime yesterday and was subsequently withdrawn from the post-season.
But discussions between lawyers representing the Stars and the NBL board have allowed Auckland back in on a technicality.
“We are very disappointed with this outcome,” said Basketball New Zealand chief executive Dale Stephens. “This is not an issue that has arisen in the past couple of weeks … the Stars are now 15 weeks overdue with their final payment.
“We feel we have given them every opportunity to meet their financial responsibility to the NBL and took appropriate measures to defend the league’s credibility.
“If we fought this protest in the courts, we are confident we could eventually win it … but this game must take place in just 24 hours. This action could prevent that happening and, at the end of the day, the show must go on.
“We still believe we were right and at the very least, this outcome should serve as a warning that we are prepared to take extreme steps to preserve the integrity of the NBL.”
The result is bad news for Devon Dynamos Taranaki, who were edged by the Stars on a countback for the sixth and final post-season spot, but were called up for duty when the Stars were disqualified.
The Dynamos have already traveled north for their anticipated clash with Appliance Shed Harbour Heat in tomorrow night’s second quarterfinal at the North Shore Events Centre, but will now hand that spot back to the Stars.
