Canberra still keen to host Hawks despite owners debacle

But the ACT government's ability to fund a partnership could be severely hampered by the financial fallout of coronavirus, which will likely impact the capital's ability to lure big-ticket sporting fixtures.

The Hawks were put in voluntary administration last week, with the NBL considering offers from prospective owners to revive the franchise.

The Hawks have played matches in Canberra for the past two season in an attempt to rebuild a broken basketball bridge in the city and engage with a new supporter base.

It has been suggested the NBL is keen to explore the potential of reviving the Canberra Cannons almost 20 years after they went bust, but it's more likely regular games will satisfy the men's basketball appetite.

The NBL wants to expand beyond its existing teams, with Canberra seen as a potential growth area.

The league will add a 10^th team for the 2021-22 season after settling on a licence in Tasmania, but that could be delayed due to the financial implications of coronavirus.

Basketball ACT is hopeful it will be able to build on the relationship with the Hawks, which could potentially be bought by a bid involving No. 1 NBA draft prospect LaMelo Ball. "We haven't engaged formally, but we'd welcome any approach," said Basketball ACT boss Allan Yates.

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"We think it's great having the NBL back in Canberra and we'd look forward to it ... Once the management situation is sorted out we'd like to speak.

"We're lucky to have the Canberra Capitals in Canberra as well, but the Hawks games have proved popular when they've come in the last couple of years."

The Hawks attracted a combined more than 7000 fans to their two games in the past two seasons and there were rumours the Wollongong-based team was willing to move more matches to Canberra.

The Hawks initially committed to two games in Canberra last season, but plans for the second match were scuppered.

The prospect of reviving the Cannons has been talked about for several years, but any bid would need significant financial backing and a new indoor venue to play at.

The ageing AIS Arena could be sold as part of an AIS carve up of assets and land, which was part of the government's wider plan to build a new stadium in Canberra.

But Chief Minister Andrew Barr has already said that will be delayed for an undetermined period and the prospect of a new indoor arena for sport, concerts, conferences and events is also unlikely to be fast-tracked.

Meanwhile, the NBL says it is committed to bringing Tasmania into the league next year but is prepared to be flexible to ensure the expansion team's viability amid dire financial circumstances.

It was agreed that the Tasmanian government would be the major sponsor of the team and would fund an upgrade of Hobart's Derwent Entertainment Centre.

Works on the upgrade were due to start this year to guarantee the venue is ready for October 2021. But the drastically altered financial landscape and government priorities as a result of the coronavirus pandemic could yet move that timeline.

"We haven't had any definitive update in terms of it not proceeding as intended," NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

"At the moment we're proceeding on the basis that we announced recently."

But Loeliger said the NBL is also mindful that sport is not the top priority at this point in time.

"It's an important part of our lives but it's not the be all and end all," he said.

"There are many other individuals and businesses out there who are doing it tough and quite rightly should be a priority for governments, state and federal.

"So if there are some competing pressures that result in a Tasmanian club maybe coming into the competition 12 months later or whatever it might be, we'll sit down and work through that with government.

"We'll make sure that we do everything we can to be supportive of the state and the community in Tasmania at this difficult time."

Loeliger said the NBL would do everything it can to keep the existing nine clubs alive during the COVID-19 crisis.