Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
The Indian Panthers have withdrawn from the National Basketball League, acknowledging the franchise is not able to meet the conditions laid down by the league to complete the season.
The league met Monday evening and accepted the Panthers' withdrawal from the competition subject to finalisation of an agreement that ensures the franchise honours outstanding payments to creditors, including players and staff, as well as compensation to the league.
As a result, the league said the Panthers would no longer compete in the competition, effective immediately.
"When we embarked on the Panthers project, our shared vision was to provide Indian players with a platform to develop and showcase their talents on a respected and historically significant stage," the Panthers said in a statement Thursday.
"However, the journey has presented unforeseen challenges. While some obstacles were within our control, others were not.
"In hindsight, fielding a team abroad for five months has proven more complex than anticipated, and we do not foresee a resolution in the immediate future."
The Panthers apologised to supporters and fans.
As a result of the franchise's withdrawal, the league said the 2025 season would now be completed with 11 teams, and all results from the nine games played by the Panthers would be removed entirely.
On 9 May, the Panthers were issued an ultimatum to satisfy a series of requirements within 10 days, with financial viability a key area of concern.
That deadline expired on Monday.
RNZ also revealed on Monday the South Asian players who had been recruited in the Panthers squad had returned to India, a development that was confirmed by a former staff member of the franchise.
The franchise had already been suspended from the league on 1 May following a string of allegations, including contractual breaches, unpaid wages and internal disarray.
The Indian Panthers' debut season has been fraught with challenges from the start.
The team took the court without any of the 10 Indian players initially named in the squad in its season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks on 12 March, citing international commitments.
Further disruption followed when head coach Miles Pearce resigned just two days before the Panthers' first home fixture.
Tensions reached a boiling point on 29 April, when players refused to play against the Canterbury Rams in protest over delayed payments, prompting the match to be postponed.
The situation escalated further after former Panthers player Alex Robinson Jr. posted a pointed message on Instagram, alleging he had not been paid.
Robinson has since left the team and signed with the Nelson Giants.
After nine matches without a league win, the team relocated its South Auckland base in April from Bruce Pulman Arena in Takanini to the Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre in Pukekohe.
