<p>The start of Australia's top basketball league has been pushed back to January due to financial concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said on Monday.</p>.<p>National Basketball League (NBL) Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said the 2020/21 season would be delayed until at least mid-January to boost the chances of having crowds watch games and deliver a revenue boost.</p>.<p>The NBL, which usually starts in October, had previously delayed its season tip-off to December.</p>.<p>Australia's professional sports competitions, including rugby league, soccer and Australian Rules football, resumed mid-year but caps on crowd sizes remain and teams are confined to biosecure hubs.</p>.<p>"We will remain flexible about the exact start date and this will depend on a number of factors including travel and border restrictions, community transmission numbers and availability at venues across Australia and New Zealand," Kestelman said in a statement.</p>.<p>"As always, the health and safety of our players, staff and fans will be our number one priority.</p>.<p>"But we also remain focused on playing in front of fans as they are the lifeblood of the league."</p>.<p>The league suffered a scare last month when 12 players from NBL club Melbourne United contracted the novel coronavirus.</p>.<p>Melbourne has been the epicentre of a second wave of infections that has put the southern state of Victoria in lockdown.</p>.<p>Kestelman said the NBL intended to play a full season and if needed would set up "one or more hubs" to achieve it.</p>.<p>The NBL called off its 'Grand Final' championship series between Sydney Kings and the Perth Wildcats in March after the Kings pulled out over health concerns due to the pandemic.</p>.<p>The Wildcats were subsequently awarded the championship.</p>
<p>The start of Australia's top basketball league has been pushed back to January due to financial concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said on Monday.</p>.<p>National Basketball League (NBL) Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said the 2020/21 season would be delayed until at least mid-January to boost the chances of having crowds watch games and deliver a revenue boost.</p>.<p>The NBL, which usually starts in October, had previously delayed its season tip-off to December.</p>.<p>Australia's professional sports competitions, including rugby league, soccer and Australian Rules football, resumed mid-year but caps on crowd sizes remain and teams are confined to biosecure hubs.</p>.<p>"We will remain flexible about the exact start date and this will depend on a number of factors including travel and border restrictions, community transmission numbers and availability at venues across Australia and New Zealand," Kestelman said in a statement.</p>.<p>"As always, the health and safety of our players, staff and fans will be our number one priority.</p>.<p>"But we also remain focused on playing in front of fans as they are the lifeblood of the league."</p>.<p>The league suffered a scare last month when 12 players from NBL club Melbourne United contracted the novel coronavirus.</p>.<p>Melbourne has been the epicentre of a second wave of infections that has put the southern state of Victoria in lockdown.</p>.<p>Kestelman said the NBL intended to play a full season and if needed would set up "one or more hubs" to achieve it.</p>.<p>The NBL called off its 'Grand Final' championship series between Sydney Kings and the Perth Wildcats in March after the Kings pulled out over health concerns due to the pandemic.</p>.<p>The Wildcats were subsequently awarded the championship.</p>