Basketball: Airs owners call full time after three seasons

Financial struggles and public criticism have prompted the owners of the Taranaki Airs to call time on their involvement with the basketball franchise after three seasons.

Media8 NZ, which has invested more than $2 million into the club since taking ownership in late 2023, announced on Wednesday it was negotiating with a potential buyer ahead of the 2027 National Basketball League season.

In a statement, director Brett McCallum said a difficult economic environment, declining sponsorship opportunities and sustained public criticism throughout the 2026 season had made it increasingly difficult to establish a financially sustainable operation.

“Professional sport is ultimately dependent on a combination of community support, commercial backing and financial sustainability,” he said.

“Despite our best efforts, the economic environment, declining sponsorship opportunities and a sustained campaign of public criticism throughout the 2026 season created significant challenges in establishing a long-term sustainable model for the franchise.”

McCallum did not specify what the public criticism related to.

“Regardless of whether that criticism was justified or not, the commercial impact was real.

“As business owners, there comes a point where you must be honest about the realities of the situation. We have reached that point.”

The announcement follows a turbulent period off the court for the franchise.

Last year, Media8 was ordered by the Disputes Tribunal to pay long-serving courtside announcer Ashtrin Haimona $2040 in unpaid fees following a dispute over his work during the 2025 season.

At the time, McCallum had disputed the existence of a paid agreement and claimed Haimona's public criticism had damaged the franchise's reputation and contributed to declining crowd numbers.

However, the tribunal found Media8 had failed to properly inform Haimona that his role had changed from a paid contractor to an unpaid volunteer.

The franchise was also sanctioned for breaching the NBL salary cap by $300 during the 2024 season. Media8 accepted a $10,000 fine, with $7500 suspended, after pleading guilty to the breach, which the league accepted was unintentional.

There has also been uncertainty around the team's coaching arrangements, with John White initially expected to return for a second season in 2027 before it was subsequently announced he would not continue in the role.

Despite the off-court challenges, McCallum said the ownership group was proud of what had been achieved, including consecutive semifinal appearances and what he described as the most sustained period of success in the franchise's history.

He said the group had worked to professionalise the organisation, strengthen its operations and establish a foundation for future success.

“While we are disappointed that we have not been able to achieve the level of sustainability required, we remain incredibly proud of what was accomplished during our time with the club.”

McCallum also paid tribute to long-serving assistant coach Andrew Green, revealing he had twice been offered the head coaching position during Media8's ownership but declined on both occasions.

“People like Drew are the reason clubs survive through difficult periods, and the Airs are undoubtedly better for having had him involved.”

Media8 is now negotiating with a potential purchaser, although the identity of the interested party and details of the proposed transaction remain confidential.

McCallum said no further public comment would be made until negotiations had concluded.

“While our chapter with the Airs is coming to an end, we leave knowing we gave everything we had to the club.”