Arguably the greatest National Basketball League (NBL) season in history came to an abrupt and sudden end on Wednesday morning. While the coronavirus had led to the suspension or canceling of nearly every professional and amateur sports league around the world, the NBL was looking to finish the final games of its season in its Grand Final.
With the Perth Wildcats leading the five-game series 2-1 over the Sydney Kings, the final two games were slotted to be played in empty arenas. However, on Wednesday morning at an impromptu press conference, the Kings chose to withdraw from the Grand Final in an unprecedented move.
The Sydney Kings chose to withdraw from the NBL Grand Final series, due to "concerns related to player well-fare," according to CEO Chris Pongrass.
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) March 17, 2020
The NBL quickly canceled the final games of the series in response and released the following statement from NBL owner Larry Kestelman:
“We respect the decision in what are extraordinary times for everyone. We are understanding of not just the players’ health and well being but also their desire to be with their families, especially given so many of them have family overseas.
“Having consulted with the Australian Basketball Players’ Association we have decided the remaining games shall not be played. With Perth leading the best of five game series 2-1, we will now consider a decision on the outcome of the championship over the next 48 hours.
“We acknowledge both teams for what has been a fantastic series and season. Sydney was the only team to have gone through an entire NBL season on top of the ladder and Perth was leading the Grand Final series.
“This has been an incredible season for the NBL and one of the best in our 41-year history with record attendances and world class basketball. We thank all of our teams, officials, staff, partners and fans for their outstanding support and we look forward to returning even bigger and better in 2020-21.
“We wish everyone around Australia and around the world all the very best and to stay safe during these challenging times.”
As of Wednesday afternoon in America, the NBL had yet to give a verdict on the official result of the Grand Final. And as has much of the last week has been, the move is entirely unprecedented not just in the NBL’s history but in professional sports history.
The move ends an incredible season for the league with LaMelo Ball playing a big role in that. The youngest Ball sibling drew in huge audiences and broke records on the court and off to help the league gain worldwide exposure.
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