Another experienced player for the Auckland Tuatara as the try to finally nail an elusive title, while the Taranaki Airs have been given a slap on the wrist.
Former National Basketball League (NBL) MVP and current Tall Black Tom Vodanovich has put pen to paper on a new deal with the Auckland Tuatara for 2025.
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The 2.01m Vodanovich, who is currently playing with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the Australian National Basketball League (ANBL), spent last season with the Tuatara, helping them reach a third straight grand final.
He joins fellow former MVP Rob Loe on the 2025 roster.
Meanwhile, the Manawatu Jets have named Dontae Russo-Nance as one of their first signings for the 2025 season.
The 1.9m Aucklander is currently on the Perth Wildcats squad in the ANBL.
In other news, the NBL League Management has fined the Taranaki Airs after a post-season audit of each team’s total expenditure on players during the 2024 season.
The NBL confirmed that the Airs fully complied and cooperated at all times, after which a process was initiated to assess whether there had been any non-compliance with league salary cap rules. In the course of that process, it was found, and agreed by the Airs, that there had been non-compliance to a relatively small degree.
NBL general manager Maree Taylor said in a statement that there were errors in the Airs audit.
“The NBL has had salary cap rules in place since 2021 which have been updated and agreed to by all teams each season. So the salary cap is effectively set and put in place by the teams themselves.
While these rules include opportunities for players to earn money from third parties, it was during the league’s post-season audit that the Taranaki Airs were found to have made errors with documentation and reporting which has led to them exceeding the cap, albeit by a small amount.
“The League takes the salary cap seriously, as do all teams, and the Airs have fully co-operated with the League’s Game Review Commissioner in this instance and apologised for the errors. A statement will be released by the Airs shortly."
A breach to the salary cap of $300 dollars was accepted by the Airs and the League has issued a financial sanction on the Taranaki Airs of $10,000, which with early plea has been been reduced by $7500 for a total fine of $2500 being issued.
The NBL considers the matter closed with Airs fully eligible for all league activities moving forward.