{"id":477691,"date":"2026-02-13T16:40:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T16:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/477691\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T16:40:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T16:40:11","slug":"nbl-stands-firm-on-mics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/477691\/","title":{"rendered":"NBL stands firm on mics"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NBL won’t back down on coaches wearing microphones, despite some in the game reportedly calling for them to be scrapped.<\/p>\n

Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian was fined $775 after directing expletives at South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Owen Foxwell, with the exchange picked up on ESPN\u2019s broadcast.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been revealed that Goorjian was wearing a microphone, but a referee\u2019s mic captured the audio – not his.<\/p>\n

SEN commentator Kane Cornes added to the debate, pointing to the League\u2019s growing footprint and rising appeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NBL is absolutely flying and the reason it\u2019s flying is because it\u2019s interesting,\u201d Cornes said on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the court it\u2019s interesting, off the court there\u2019s teams blowing up at each other, there\u2019s in-fighting \u2026 it\u2019s absolutely magnificent.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow the coaches want the hot mic banned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you, just do whatever you are doing and continue to do it, because the NBL is on an absolute heater and if we hear a coach swear from time to time, excellent – because your broadcast rights are going to go through the roof and interest is going to grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cToughen up, to the NBL coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man in charge of the NBL’s Broadcast, Chief Content and Media Officer Heath O\u2019Loughlin said the League\u2019s level of access is what sets it apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe regard the coach microphones as an important and distinctive part of our broadcast that brings our fans even closer to the game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur League is built for the fans, and the coach, referee and player microphones deliver edge-of-your-seat moments, heated huddles, and motivational speeches sports fans want to see and feel like they\u2019re a part of.<\/p>\n

\u201cRegarding the incident (Goorjian and Foxwell) in question: this was in fact captured via the referee mic, not the coach\u2019s mic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe follow strict broadcast protocols around when audio is used.\u201d<\/p>\n

CODE Sports reported concerns over the mics<\/a> using an anonymous source.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we as coaches have to wear the mic for the entire game, then so should the players,\u201d an unnamed coach said.<\/p>\n

The article noted a sense among some coaches the live-mic setup exposes them to scrutiny in moments of heightened emotion.<\/p>\n

Live microphones are used in select time-outs, with coaches aware they could be on air. The audio is not broadcast in the final two minutes of the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe beauty of the NBL lies in its accessibility and excitement for fans,\u201d O\u2019Loughlin continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe coach mics keep the league innovative and fan-focused, offering insider access that few other sports can match.\u201d<\/p>\n

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