Managing a home court transition: The case of the New Zealand Breakers

This case study involving the New Zealand Breakers basketball team explores key factors relating to the home venues of sport teams. The case study is suitable for use in a variety of undergraduate courses such as sport management, sport marketing, and facility management. The New Zealand Breakers have two multi-purpose facilities within Auckland where home basketball games can viably be staged. Growing ticket demand and the opportunities associated with the larger and more modern of the two facility options have necessitated strategic thinking and decision making from Breakers’ management. They have not yet made a permanent move, but have chosen instead to move to the new facility gradually. There are several aspects of the ongoing transition period that require careful management to ensure the long-term success of the franchise. The Breakers’ management of the ongoing decision and transition are well-grounded in management, marketing, and facility management literature. As students consider the case, they will have the opportunity to think critically and consider theory in the context of a real professional sport franchise. A variety of questions and references are provided in the teaching note that can be used in conjunction with the implementation of the case study.