NBL ignites fixture with midweek, in-season tournament
Twenty-one games will be added to the NBL's schedule as part of a new in-season tournament spruiking historic prize money for players.
The Ignite Cup will feature a game every Wednesday for 20 weeks from October 8 as the Australian league again follows in the NBA's footsteps.
The innovation aims to spice up the regular season, just as the NBA Cup did when introduced in 2023.
That same year the NBL introduced a finals play-in format that also mirrored the system brought in by the American league in 2020.
A record $400,000 will be on the table and in an NBL-first, players in the winning team will split 60 per cent, or $180,000, of the $300,000 prize.
The runners-up will receive $100,000.
Games will count towards the regular-season table but a quarter-by-quarter scoring system for Ignite Cup points will ensure each game is played until the final buzzer.
The NBL is spruiking an elevated game-day experience for fans and a "special location" for the February final.
"The Ignite Cup is a huge new chapter for the NBL," NBL chief executive David Stevenson said.
"We're building something that adds more competitive fire throughout the season, creates more blockbuster games, and brings fresh energy for our fans every single Wednesday night.
"It's high-stakes hoops and we think fans are going to love it."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
Kembla preview: Wild Thoughts set to shine despite draw
Local trainer Kerry Parker is optimistic of a good days racing, not just about the chances of his home track quartet but also his lone city runner. Parker has a good opinion of lightly-raced three-year-old Wild Thoughts who made his debut at Kembla back in January when third behind Modella. Put away, the Proven Thoroughbreds-owned son of So You Think has returned in very good order with an all-the-way trial win on his home track last month. •PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'That was a terrific preparation for him last time in,' said Parker. 'He trialled nicely at Warwick Farm and then ran well on debut before going for a spell. 'It was good education for him and this is now the start of his first real preparation.' Parker's confidence was dented a little when Wild Thoughts drew barrier 11 in the Midway Maiden Handicap (1200m). 'Unfortunately, he has drawn a bad gate so he is going to need some luck. 'We will just have to ride him conservatively early with cover. 'If the race is run at a suitable tempo, I expect him to finishing strongly and make his presence felt.' Parker was tickled pink with the first-up run of Tom Cruising when runner-up behind Miss Stalwart at the Sapphire Coast over an unsuitable distance. He feels the son of American Pharoah is in with a great chance when he steps up to his ideal distance in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) where he has drawn barrier 3. 'It was the first time I have ever run him over 1200 metres and it was a sensational run,' he said. 'I only took him there because it looked a nice race to start him off in on soft ground on a big track. 'He zipped up the inside really well in the straight. 'He has come back this time in a good frame of mind and is feeling well so I have no problem stepping him out to a mile which is more to his liking. 'I expect him to run really well again.' Why Why Why ran well on debut when third to Jared at Goulburn and followed up with a two-and-a-quarter length sixth to Shalaa Jet at Wyong. With a big drop in weight thanks to the 4kg claim of stable apprentice Ryan Bradley, the three-year-old gelding should be very competitive in the Maiden Plate (1600m). 'He is still learning his trade. He's only a little fella so getting the four kilo apprentice on will definitely help him,' Parker said. 'I was really pleased with his first run at Goulburn. 'We probably tried to ride him a bit cute and make use of the inside barrier at Wyong last start. 'They ran along the first half of the race pretty slick and he was under pressure a fair way out. I think they ran something like nine lengths faster than the other mile race for the first half (mile). 'He kept grinding away and wasn't beat that fare so he still went alright.' Bradley will also partner the stayer Cosmos Factory who resumes in the Class 1 Handicap (1400m). 'Naturally he will be better as he gets out over more ground but it looks a nice enough race for him,' said Parker. 'With that weight off his back, he could run a place in a race like this with no surprise.' Parker's day starts off at Randwick with consistent mare Callistemon in the Midway Handicap (1600m). 'Callistemon and Let's Go Again have been running on alternate weeks and placed in the last four (Midways) between them. 'It would be nice if the luck turns our way and we can knock one off.'
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Day storms into contention at rich PGA Tour event
Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into outright fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American and dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend." Day looks the only Australian chance, with Min Woo Lee (73-69) back in a tie for 49th at two over. Cam Davis (71-73) and Adam Scott, on a come down from his US Open surge, are four over and equal 59th in the 72-player, no-cut field. Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into outright fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American and dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend." Day looks the only Australian chance, with Min Woo Lee (73-69) back in a tie for 49th at two over. Cam Davis (71-73) and Adam Scott, on a come down from his US Open surge, are four over and equal 59th in the 72-player, no-cut field. Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into outright fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American and dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend." Day looks the only Australian chance, with Min Woo Lee (73-69) back in a tie for 49th at two over. Cam Davis (71-73) and Adam Scott, on a come down from his US Open surge, are four over and equal 59th in the 72-player, no-cut field. Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into outright fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American and dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend." Day looks the only Australian chance, with Min Woo Lee (73-69) back in a tie for 49th at two over. Cam Davis (71-73) and Adam Scott, on a come down from his US Open surge, are four over and equal 59th in the 72-player, no-cut field.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Hungrier than us': Aussie-bound Lions mauled by Pumas
The British and Irish Lions' dream of an unbeaten 2025 campaign is over even before they fly out to tour Australia after a jolting opening Test loss to Argentina in a thrilling Dublin curtain-raiser. The party-pooping Pumas gleefully ignored all the hype surrounding the Lions as they ripped through the feelgood factor at Lansdowne Road on Friday night with a deserved 28-24 victory against Andy Farrell's predictably rusty but surprisingly outgunned outfit. It was the first time for 54 years since their famous 1971 triumph in New Zealand with Barry John and co that the Lions have lost their opening match of any tour - and the setback left coach Farrell quickly reading the riot act. He didn't hold back about his side's lack of intensity as he declared: "They were hungrier than us - and that's just not acceptable." There were moments, as the Lions scored three tries through centre Bundee Aki, a penalty try and lock Tadhg Beirne, when they showed what captain Maro Itoje called "glimmers of what we can do", the sort of cohesive attacking and forward domination they'll need in their nine Australian matches including three Tests. But their error count was horrendous, allowing the slick visitors, who Beirne had reckoned would be treating the match as their "World Cup final", to lead 21-10 at halftime and then hold out courageously after repelling the Lions' second-half comeback. The excellent counter-attacking Pumas also crossed the whitewash three times through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Cordero in a deflating evening for the Lions before they fly out to Perth for their first match against Western Force next Saturday. "It's disappointing. We've got to take the learnings from this," said Farrell, back at the Aviva Stadium where he's led Ireland to so much success. Not for the first time, the Pumas, who crushed the Wallabies by 40 points the last time the teams met in the Rugby Championship, delighted in spoiling the send-off, the world's No.5-ranked side now adding the Lions to their victims for the first time after beating all three Rugby Championship rivals last season. The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. The Lions, deprived of almost half their squad because of recent club commitments and injuries, had a couple of scores ruled out in the first half - including one from Sione Tuipulotu - because of knock-ons. But Farrell was briefly enthused at the start of the second half when their robust response led to the penalty try and home favourite Beirne powering over. But Cordero then put the also under-strength Pumas back in front with a superb team score and they held on grimly under pressure near their own line only for the Lions to spurn their last chance when a penalty in front of the Argentina posts was reversed over a Beirne neck roll. "Argentina deserved the win and capitalised on all the errors we made," said Farrell. "There is a lot to do. You can't win a Test with that error rate. We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off - and I take responsibility for that." There was at least some good news for the Lions in the performances of their three Australian-born players - Scotland's Tuipulotu plus the Irish pair of prop Finlay Bealham and replacement wing Mack Hansen, who all made excellent debuts in the scarlet. Melburnian Tuipulotu looked the Lions' most incisive attacker even if his handling may have been just a tiny bit off while Canberra's Bealham was instrumental in the Lions' scrum domination. The ebullient Hansen, another Canberra native much loved by the Dublin faithful, got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he came on for the last 20 minutes, and repaid the ovation with a couple of fine raids. The British and Irish Lions' dream of an unbeaten 2025 campaign is over even before they fly out to tour Australia after a jolting opening Test loss to Argentina in a thrilling Dublin curtain-raiser. The party-pooping Pumas gleefully ignored all the hype surrounding the Lions as they ripped through the feelgood factor at Lansdowne Road on Friday night with a deserved 28-24 victory against Andy Farrell's predictably rusty but surprisingly outgunned outfit. It was the first time for 54 years since their famous 1971 triumph in New Zealand with Barry John and co that the Lions have lost their opening match of any tour - and the setback left coach Farrell quickly reading the riot act. He didn't hold back about his side's lack of intensity as he declared: "They were hungrier than us - and that's just not acceptable." There were moments, as the Lions scored three tries through centre Bundee Aki, a penalty try and lock Tadhg Beirne, when they showed what captain Maro Itoje called "glimmers of what we can do", the sort of cohesive attacking and forward domination they'll need in their nine Australian matches including three Tests. But their error count was horrendous, allowing the slick visitors, who Beirne had reckoned would be treating the match as their "World Cup final", to lead 21-10 at halftime and then hold out courageously after repelling the Lions' second-half comeback. The excellent counter-attacking Pumas also crossed the whitewash three times through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Cordero in a deflating evening for the Lions before they fly out to Perth for their first match against Western Force next Saturday. "It's disappointing. We've got to take the learnings from this," said Farrell, back at the Aviva Stadium where he's led Ireland to so much success. Not for the first time, the Pumas, who crushed the Wallabies by 40 points the last time the teams met in the Rugby Championship, delighted in spoiling the send-off, the world's No.5-ranked side now adding the Lions to their victims for the first time after beating all three Rugby Championship rivals last season. The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. The Lions, deprived of almost half their squad because of recent club commitments and injuries, had a couple of scores ruled out in the first half - including one from Sione Tuipulotu - because of knock-ons. But Farrell was briefly enthused at the start of the second half when their robust response led to the penalty try and home favourite Beirne powering over. But Cordero then put the also under-strength Pumas back in front with a superb team score and they held on grimly under pressure near their own line only for the Lions to spurn their last chance when a penalty in front of the Argentina posts was reversed over a Beirne neck roll. "Argentina deserved the win and capitalised on all the errors we made," said Farrell. "There is a lot to do. You can't win a Test with that error rate. We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off - and I take responsibility for that." There was at least some good news for the Lions in the performances of their three Australian-born players - Scotland's Tuipulotu plus the Irish pair of prop Finlay Bealham and replacement wing Mack Hansen, who all made excellent debuts in the scarlet. Melburnian Tuipulotu looked the Lions' most incisive attacker even if his handling may have been just a tiny bit off while Canberra's Bealham was instrumental in the Lions' scrum domination. The ebullient Hansen, another Canberra native much loved by the Dublin faithful, got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he came on for the last 20 minutes, and repaid the ovation with a couple of fine raids. The British and Irish Lions' dream of an unbeaten 2025 campaign is over even before they fly out to tour Australia after a jolting opening Test loss to Argentina in a thrilling Dublin curtain-raiser. The party-pooping Pumas gleefully ignored all the hype surrounding the Lions as they ripped through the feelgood factor at Lansdowne Road on Friday night with a deserved 28-24 victory against Andy Farrell's predictably rusty but surprisingly outgunned outfit. It was the first time for 54 years since their famous 1971 triumph in New Zealand with Barry John and co that the Lions have lost their opening match of any tour - and the setback left coach Farrell quickly reading the riot act. He didn't hold back about his side's lack of intensity as he declared: "They were hungrier than us - and that's just not acceptable." There were moments, as the Lions scored three tries through centre Bundee Aki, a penalty try and lock Tadhg Beirne, when they showed what captain Maro Itoje called "glimmers of what we can do", the sort of cohesive attacking and forward domination they'll need in their nine Australian matches including three Tests. But their error count was horrendous, allowing the slick visitors, who Beirne had reckoned would be treating the match as their "World Cup final", to lead 21-10 at halftime and then hold out courageously after repelling the Lions' second-half comeback. The excellent counter-attacking Pumas also crossed the whitewash three times through Ignacio Mendy, Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Cordero in a deflating evening for the Lions before they fly out to Perth for their first match against Western Force next Saturday. "It's disappointing. We've got to take the learnings from this," said Farrell, back at the Aviva Stadium where he's led Ireland to so much success. Not for the first time, the Pumas, who crushed the Wallabies by 40 points the last time the teams met in the Rugby Championship, delighted in spoiling the send-off, the world's No.5-ranked side now adding the Lions to their victims for the first time after beating all three Rugby Championship rivals last season. The Pumas took the upper hand early when, after Mendy's try had been answered by Aki's score, Albornoz struck from a Puma's counter from their own 22 on the stroke of halftime. The Lions, deprived of almost half their squad because of recent club commitments and injuries, had a couple of scores ruled out in the first half - including one from Sione Tuipulotu - because of knock-ons. But Farrell was briefly enthused at the start of the second half when their robust response led to the penalty try and home favourite Beirne powering over. But Cordero then put the also under-strength Pumas back in front with a superb team score and they held on grimly under pressure near their own line only for the Lions to spurn their last chance when a penalty in front of the Argentina posts was reversed over a Beirne neck roll. "Argentina deserved the win and capitalised on all the errors we made," said Farrell. "There is a lot to do. You can't win a Test with that error rate. We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. "There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off - and I take responsibility for that." There was at least some good news for the Lions in the performances of their three Australian-born players - Scotland's Tuipulotu plus the Irish pair of prop Finlay Bealham and replacement wing Mack Hansen, who all made excellent debuts in the scarlet. Melburnian Tuipulotu looked the Lions' most incisive attacker even if his handling may have been just a tiny bit off while Canberra's Bealham was instrumental in the Lions' scrum domination. The ebullient Hansen, another Canberra native much loved by the Dublin faithful, got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he came on for the last 20 minutes, and repaid the ovation with a couple of fine raids.
