Some answers for the benefit of discussion - I am just a general member of the public watching from the Grassy Gnoll.
1. Would selling the 36ers deny BASA [the sport] revenue, and put further pressure on the cost of playing basketball at club and social level?
No. The core drivers of a community based, cooperative sports association and a privately owned professional sporting club are very different.
Also, the government is more likely to forgive debt for grass roots basketball than a professional sporting club. Get a core business, and focus on that.
2. Will a new owner continue to play home games at the Dome, or will they find a new venue and if so, how then will or should the sport look to pay its Government debt?
I wouldnt think a new owner would take on the debt. Buying the 36ers would not be viable with the debt.
3. Will the sport selling its biggest marketing asset, the 36ers assist them at all and equally, why would or should the Government waive the debt on the Dome?
The 36ers would only become stronger outside of BASAs control. A professional sporting organisation focussed on bottomline performance would ultimately be better for the sport overall.
4. What revenue streams do we think should stay with the new owners and what should stay in the sport e.g. corporate facilities, catering, ticket sales, signage, car parking, merchandise?
The 36ers may put some services out to BASA as a professional working relationship. THings like car parking, event management,. facilities management etc. may be more effective, efficiently and profitable if outsourced to BASA by the new ownership.
5. Will a new owner make the 36ers a better team on the court, and if so, how?
The 36ers over the years have been great on the court. There is no reason why this should change under private ownership, in a business in its own right.
6. Will or should a new owner keep the 36ers management committee in place?
It would come down to performance. The organisation would be run as a profitable business. If you perform you stay, if you dont you go.
7. Will, should or could a new owner reduce season and match day ticket prices?
$$$$ - Its a business. If its economically more profitable to reduce prices then they would.
8. Will or should a new owner spend more on pre game entertainment and marketing and, if so, will attendances increase?
I would think this would be run far more effectively as a professional, privately owned business than BASA.
9. Why is this discussion so obviously public so early and so apparently lacking depth?
Could it be people with too much time on their hands just trying to make a name for themselves? The proof is in the pudding. It would be great to see something happen but I suspect it wont.
10. Why is the request to 'look at the books' before the potential new owners can frame their offer are they uncertain they can make it work? Would they or should they not have already built their own business model?
I doubt this current process will be completed.
