Auckland back in basketball game

Press, 13 March 1986, Page 22

Auckland back in basketball game

The Auckland senior men’s basketball team is back in the game. Time out ended when Altos Computer Systems offered to sponsor it to the tune of $40,000.

The company marketing manager, Mr Gerard Fitzgibbon, said, when announcing the deal: “We are pretty excited about sponsoring the team. “We were looking for a good visible sports promotion, and basketball in the country has taken off.

“With Auckland, we have a team that has reached the national league final in the last five years and a player with the highest profile in the game — Stan Hill.”

The team, in tatters a few weeks ago through the loss of its two coaches and earlier sponsorship, will now be known as Altos Auckland in the national league, which be-

gins on April 12.

Altos is a small but highly successful computer firm in San Jose, California, with annual, turnover of $l5O million. Its Auckland subsidiary is Chase Computers Ltd, which is changing its name to Altos Computer Systems. Auckland’s woes began when the coaches, Messrs Steve McKean and Bob South decided not to carry on this season because they were dissatisfied with players’ demands. As a result, the team then lost its $60,000 sponsorship with Dominion Breweries — the largest single sponsorship in New Zealand basketball.

Altos’ support, however, means Auckland will have all its travel, accommodation and other costs covered throughout the season — which should involve 20 matches, both home and away.

Ironically, the sponsorship at this stage does not include players’ payments, though Mr Fitzgibbon said there would be an incentive if they reach the national final.

Hill, now player-coach, will be playing the league just for the competition after being paid $7OOO for the season last year.

Auckland’s basic season’s costs are $30,000 and the remaining $lO,OOO will go on promoting and marketing the team. “Through the advertising we aim to make sure we have enough people on the seats for the home matches,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.

the Auckland team will be backed up by an administration committee including an association, players and sponsor’s representative. Altos is putting forward its financial controller, Mr Kerry Quirke.