Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
The Indian Panthers are facing termination from the National Basketball League in 10 days unless the new franchise can comply with a list of remedial conditions.
A notice of termination issued by the league on Friday said the Panthers' upcoming games scheduled for May 14 against the Southland Sharks and May 16 against the Otago Nuggets had been postponed.
The franchise had until 19 May to fully comply with all requirements set by the league, a statement from the Commission said.
The league had been conducting a thorough investigation into the management of the team, including its financial backing, the statement said.
The Commission said it was disappointed that the "required funding has not been delivered as expected".
"Following a series of Commission meetings held over the past week and numerous deadlines set, the Panthers have not yet managed to remedy any of the breaches that would have allowed the Panthers' next two games to go ahead," the statement said.
The team was suspended on 1 May after the league received allegations of contractual breaches, including unpaid salaries and internal unrest.
The Indian Panthers players did not take the court against the Canterbury Rams on 29 April in protest of the late payments, with the match being postponed.
The situation subsequently escalated when former Panthers player Alex Robinson Jr. posted a pointed message on Instagram alleging he had not been paid.
Robinson left the Panthers and joined the Nelson Giants.
The Panthers have faced a series of setbacks in their debut season.
The team played without any of the 10 Indian players originally named in the squad in their season opener against the Hawke's Bay Hawks on 12 March due to international commitments.
The Panthers faced another setback in March when head coach Miles Pearce resigned just two days ahead of their first home game.
"Should the Panthers fulfill all conditions, the Commission will consider whether to lift the notice of termination, in which case the games against the Canterbury Rams, Southland Sharks and Otago Nuggets will be replayed," the statement said.
