Indian Panthers suspended from NBL over non-payment of salaries

The Commission resolved to suspend the Indian Panthers, effective immediately, from participation in the 2025 Sal’s NBL season.

The Indian Panthers are out of the National Basketball League (NBL) for the foreseeable future. The NBL Commission has suspended the overseas first-year entrant amid payment issues and claims of players’ poor treatment.

Following the events of Tuesday, April 29, when the game between the Indian Panthers and Canterbury Rams had to be called off because the Panthers players did not take the court, the Commission that governs Sal’s NBL has met to consider a report on the events that led up to the default and to determine the next steps.

The Commission has today resolved to suspend the Panthers, effective immediately, from participation in the 2025 Sal’s NBL season pending the earlier of;

1. The satisfaction of conditions outlined by the Commission being met by the Panthers, or;
2. A final determination by the Commission of an investigation into the alleged breaches of the Participation Agreement by the Panthers.

As there is an ongoing investigation, the details of the conditions and matters being considered are confidential at this stage, but the allegations are sufficiently serious, and the evidence is such that the Commission has decided to suspend the Panthers’ participation in the League indefinitely and effective immediately.

The Commission determined that, given the seriousness of the allegations, likely period required to resolve them and the need to avoid damage to the financial position of all participating teams and the League, that the appropriate decision was to immediately suspend the Panthers from further participation in the League until certain conditions could be met by the Panthers, or the League was able to form a considered view about the future participation of the Panthers in the Sal’s NBL via an immediate investigation.

Commission Chair, Tracey Garland, said, “It is very disappointing for the Commission to be facing this situation, especially given that following careful due diligence, the original concept was sustainable and so exciting for the League, the game and the fans, both here and in India.”

 “However, we have had to face the reality that things have not panned out as any party intended. The Commission is particularly concerned that all the positive growth and progress that has been made with the Sal’s NBL is not put at risk while we consider the very significant implications of what is before us with the Panthers’ situation.

“An investigation has commenced. The Panthers are fully aware of the conditions they must meet for any consideration given as to their future participation, and these will remain confidential while both parties work through this. At the same time, the League has commenced an investigation into the alleged breaches.

“We have been advised by the Panthers today that all players have been paid, including former player Alex Robinson, and that staff and other creditors will be paid by May 15. We hope all of these payments will be made as communicated to us.

“In particular, we want the players and staff of the Panthers to know we are treating the alleged breaches seriously, and their interests and the integrity of the competition are our highest priority,”  said Ms Garland.

As the matter is now under formal investigation, the NBL will not be going into any further detail.

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