CEO Note: End of Season

Like many of you, I was on the edge of my seat during the final quarter of Sunday’s Championship-deciding game. The outcome was not what we hoped, but as a club we are proud of what was achieved throughout the season.  As our Head Coach Mike Wells reflected, the result stings, but it will serve as fuel for what comes next.

It was a season defined by growing resilience, belief, and connection. It has been, without question, one of the most rewarding campaigns I have experienced in professional sport.

From an exciting off-season that saw us welcome Flynn Cameron, Bryce Cotton, and Zylan Cheatham, to hosting European powerhouse Panathinaikos in pre-season, this group set the tone early. Five wins from our first six games, ten rounds atop the ladder, a place in the inaugural Ignite Cup Final, and a thrilling semi-final series victory over South-East Melbourne - all culminating in a Championship Series that went the distance.

In total, 27 wins - the most in our club’s history. That achievement belongs not only to the coaches, players and staff, but to every one of you who stood with us throughout the journey.

Your support has been nothing short of extraordinary. At Qudos Bank Arena in Game Five, the sea of blue and the unmistakable voice of 36ers fans carried across the court. You were there in force. From those who gathered at the team hotel before tip-off, to those who welcomed the players home at the airport late on Easter Sunday night, your commitment to this club continues to inspire us all.

At home, your loyalty has created something truly special. Twenty home games, twenty sell-outs - extending our streak to 41 consecutive packed houses at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Whether it was a midweek clash or a Friday night blockbuster, you showed up. You made our home one of the most formidable environments in the league. Our players felt it every time they stepped onto the floor and it carried them to the very edge of championship glory.

We will have our membership and hospitality options for NBL27 going on sale next week. As always, existing members will have first priority to roll over their memberships into next season and if you miss out, you can always join our membership wait list. More information about membership and hospitality options will be provided in the coming days.

As we now look ahead, our focus turns to building on this foundation. With a strong core of our roster already secured, we will approach free agency with purpose, seeking the final pieces to take us one step further. We believe in this group, and we are determined to return stronger.

This week, as we gathered as a club to reflect on the season, our owner and Executive Chairman Grant Kelley shared a powerful reminder. He spoke of the 1986 “Invincibles”, led by the late Ken Cole - a team that fell short in the Grand Final in 1985, only to rise the following year and claim the championship. It is a story that resonates deeply with where we stand today.

History has a way of rewarding those who stay together, work tirelessly, and persist. We intend to do just that.

To our commercial partners, everyone who packed the arena, supported our community initiatives through the Shooting Hoops Foundation, attended clinics, or cheered from afar - thank you. You are the heartbeat of this club.

We cannot wait to share the journey of NBL27 with you.

Nic Barbato
Adelaide 36ers CEO