The Perth Wildcats have broken yet another record as NBL attendances continue to climb.
The Wildcats average home crowd this season of 13,061 is the highest of any team since the NBL was formed. The previous best was set by the Wildcats in 2015 with an average of 12,158 per game. Last Friday night against Melbourne United at Perth Arena, the Wildcats recorded their highest crowd of the season with a sell-out of 13,611 which is the seventh time they have topped 13,000 this season. Melbourne United’s average crowd of 8,766 is the second biggest by any Melbourne club in NBL history behind the Melbourne Tigers 1994 average of 9,065 and ahead of the South East Melbourne Magic average of 8,545 in 1992. Melbourne’s attendances have increased by 14 per cent this season. NBL Chief Executive Jeremy Loeliger said overall attendances across the NBL were up four per cent in 2017-18 and on track for a new season attendance record. “With record crowds and over 11,000 members Perth has proved that it is one of the biggest sporting clubs in Australia with on court success to match,” he said. “But it’s not just Perth the fans are coming to see. A number of our clubs are drawing big crowds who want to watch world class basketball and enjoy first class entertainment off the court as well.” “Next week we will play the first ever NBL game at the Australian Open between Melbourne United and the Cairns Taipans and it will be another great opportunity to showcase the NBL in front of another big crowd and national television audience. “The interest in Australian basketball both here and overseas is great to see as we celebrate our 40th season as a national competition with Heritage Month and lead up to what promises to be another exciting finals series.” NBL Heritage Month continues this weekend with a number of teams wearing their heritage jerseys for the first time this season including Melbourne United which will wear the 2007/08 Melbourne Tigers jersey. Attendances in NBL history of over 13,000 (including finals): 7 – Perth Wildcats 2018 5 – South East Melbourne Magic 1992 3 – Perth Wildcats 2017 3 – Perth Wildcats 2015 3 – Perth Wildcats 2014 3 – Melbourne Tigers 1994 3 – Melbourne Tigers 1993
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