Australia can finally look forward to a game on Christmas Day. As in, not just a hit of backyard cricket but a genuine professional sporting fixture.
With other major offshore leagues having hosted December 25 blockbusters for some time already, most famously in the United States, the great southern land was due for a ‘generous helping’ of their own.
The NBL is the sporting code that’s venturing to one of sport scheduling’s ‘final frontiers’ down under. Specifically, the Sydney Kings will host Melbourne United at Qudos Bank Arena, with tip-off at 7:30pm AEDT. Australians can satisfy their sporting appetites as they either digest through an overload of Christmas lunch or begin emerging from their food comas. Not to sound like a mouthpiece for the NBL or anything, but it’s kind of perfect.
For context, the NBA has held games on the 25th since 1947. The NFL also do it, when it falls on the right day.
THE ULTIMATE ST????CKING STUFFER ????
— The NBL (@NBL) July 19, 2022
Australian professional sporting history will be made in #NBL23 when the @SydneyKings play @MelbUnited on Christmas Day live on ESPN via Kayo and 10 Peach!
Full details at https://t.co/X0BpOtK0By and on the NBL app ???? pic.twitter.com/ygLmmsrert
Putting two of the league’s biggest teams on show is affirmation this isn’t a half-hearted measure.
Kings Co-owner and Chairman Paul Smith pretty much summed it up, speaking in relation to the announcement.
“We are a changing society,” he said. “Christmas isn’t a holy event for all of us, and it can be a lonely day for a lot of people.”
This move is a nod to Australia’s growing cultural diversity.
It should also be noted that cricket’s Big Bash League and the football’s A-League competitions have been beaten to the punch, after previous Christmas Day fixture requests to those competitions ultimately fell on deaf ears.
Embed from Getty Images“Sports fans across Australia and New Zealand have been asking for live sport on Christmas and we are excited to bring them world-class basketball and entertainment on what is a very special day for so many,” NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger added.
On top of the fact it’ll be an undeniable ratings winner for the NBL, there’s also a slam dunk fundraising opportunity, partnering with a charity and ensuring the game’s audience gets right into the spirit of it all.
The NBL’s full 2022-23 schedule will come out next week, but it’s also been confirmed that the Adelaide 36ers will host South East Melbourne on Christmas Eve.
