Indian Panthers' failure hits NBL hard
- Dave Worsley
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Updated: May 2
UPDATED - The ill-fated NZ NBL experiment of the Indian Panthers appears to have come to a head with both the Rapid League and NBL games against the Canterbury Rams called off.
The game abandonment appears to be as a result of players refusing to play following a lack of payment.
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Top side the Canterbury Rams put up the following statement on social media.
"In disappointing news, tonight’s game against the Indian Panthers did not happen due to the Panthers being unable to suit up enough players.
Sorry Rams fans. We were just as excited as you all.
The league will make further announcements tomorrow."
Respected American import Alex Robinson has posted on social media that he was repeatedly promised payment during his two months at the Panthers, which was never fulfilled.
“Dear @indianpanthersofficial. I was part of your organisation for two months, during which I gave my full commitment, effort and passion to every game. Unfortunately, I was repeatedly promised payment that was never fulfilled. This situation not only impacts me personally but also affects my son and my family. I sincerely hope you find it within your hearts to honour your commitments and compensate all of us who gave our blood, sweat and tears to represent and support this organisation,” he wrote on his Instagram account.
Robinson has now joined the Nelson Giants for the rest of the NBL season.
UPDATED:: NZNBL put out a statement on Wednesday afternoon as per below.
"Following the postponement of last night’s Sal’s NBL game between the Indian
Panthers and the Canterbury Rams, the Commission of the Sal’s NBL and Basketball New Zealand management convened a meeting earlier today with representatives from all 12 teams, including the Indian Panthers.
On Friday 25 April, the League was made aware of delayed payments to Indian Panthers players and staff. A formal meeting was immediately requested with Franchise ownership, which took place on Monday 28 April.
On the morning of Tuesday 29 April, the League was informed that a number of Panthers players had received payment, and plans were in place for the game against the Rams to proceed. However, prior to tip-off, Panthers players elected not to take the court, and the League made the decision to postpone the game.
The Sal’s NBL Commission is currently working through a number of options regarding the future of the Indian Panthers in the competition and expects to make a further statement within the next 24 hours.
The League will not be making further comment at this time."
The Panthers franchise was announced in October 2024, and described in a Sky TV press release as a “ground-breaking initiative that demonstrates New Zealand National Basketball League’s [NZNBL’s] continued commitment to innovation and growth in the sport”.
Sky TV’s Justin Nelson - a former NBL administrator - introduced the Panthers into the league, describing it at the time as an exciting moment for New Zealand basketball.
The context of the franchise was criticised by basketball followers as it lurched from crisis to crisis with visa issues, player and coach departurs and what appeared to be a lack of planning and financial preparation.
The Indian Panthers have yet to register a win in the nine rounds of the season so far.
