NBL franchise Sydney Kings are hoping to become the first Australian top-tier sporting team to play a match on Christmas Day.
While Australia is known for its heavyweight Boxing Day fixtures, consisting of Test cricket and the iconic Sydney-Hobart yacht race, Christmas Day is yet to be a prominent fixture in the sporting calendar.
Across the globe, Christmas Day fixtures are a big deal in the US, largely due to TV ratings success.
READ MORE: Bailey should stand down after failing Paine test, says Tony Jones
Both the NFL and NBA stage fixtures on Christmas Day, which typically are highlighted by marquee matchups.
The Kings this season will host Melbourne United on Boxing Day, but organisation chairman and owner Paul Smith, says he wants the fixture to change the following season.
“It’s one of the last bits of uncharted territory in Australian sport,” Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We really want to do it, we’d love to do it.
READ MORE: Ronaldo fires Manchester United into last 16 of Champions League
“If there is any territory we can break, if there are any frontiers we can get through, we want to get through those. We’re very pro the idea.
“The world has changed; when I grew up, Christmas Day was holier than holy. Now pubs, restaurants, clubs, there are people dining out on Christmas Day, it’s a big thing.”
The idea has been brought to the attention of the NBL, but the league has been receptive according to the Sydney Morning Herald’s report.
NBL’s summer competitors, cricket’s Big Bash League, has long considered having a fixture on Christmas Day.
The idea has been discussed and floated by the BBL but has yet to take place.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!