Plans afoot for return of two Americans on court

Irish basketball officials are making radical changes to return the game to its height in the 1980s and ’90s.

Basketball Ireland General Secretary Bernard O’Byrne unveiled proposals by his association to pay for one American per Superleague team and hope they pay for a second one out of their own pockets.

Clubs currently pay for one US-born player, traditionally a crowd puller, but with a return to two Americans on the court it is hoped the league will achieve more success at the gates.

The proposals also include the possibility of relegation from the Superleague; a guarantee of 27 games, 11 at home, 11 away, and five to be played at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght; a new league cup competition that would include Division 2 teams; a recruiting programme for new teams; the league paying for 10 US players to act as ambassadors for the sport; the Americans role will include coaching and promotion responsibilities; the appointment of a new League commissioner; an unified committee for Division 1 and 2 teams; a new marketing and media drive to help Basketball compete on a par with GAA, rugby, soccer and other sports for increased column inches and air time.