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{{Short description|Indian basketball team in Auckland, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox Basketball club
| name = Indian Panthers
| color1 = white
| color2 = black
| color3 = orange
| logo = Indian Panthers logo.jpg
| league = [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|NZNBL]]
| founded = October 2024
| folded = May 2025
| history = '''Indian Panthers'''<br>2025
| arena =
| location = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
| colours = Black, white, orange<br>{{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} {{color box|#F58233}}
| sponsor =
| ceo =
| ownership =
| manager =
| coach =
| championships =
| website =
| h_body = 000000
| h_pattern_b = _orangesides
| h_shorts = 000000
| h_pattern_s = _orangesides
| a_body = #000000
| a_pattern_b = _orangesides
| a_shorts = #000000
| a_pattern_s = _orangesides
}}

The '''Indian Panthers''' were a [[basketball]] team that competed in the New Zealand [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|National Basketball League]] (NZNBL) during the [[2025 New Zealand NBL season|2025 season]]. Based in [[Auckland]], the Panthers initially played their home games at Pulman Arena in [[Takanini]] before switching mid-season to the [[Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre]] in [[Pukekohe]].

Established in October 2024 by the [[Indian National Basketball League]] (INBL), the franchise aimed to foster international basketball connections and provide [[Basketball in India|Indian players]] with professional opportunities abroad. Despite initial aspirations, the team's debut season was marred by significant challenges, including the failure to bring the majority of their Indian-based players to New Zealand. Only three of the ten Indian players initially named in the squad travelled to New Zealand, leading to operational difficulties and a lack of competitive depth. These issues culminated in the team's suspension from the league in early May 2025 due to serious allegations, and they officially withdrew from the competition later that month, acknowledging their inability to meet the conditions required to complete the season.

==Team history==
In July 2024, it was revealed that the New Zealand NBL was looking at an expansion team from the [[Indian National Basketball League]] (INBL).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/breaking-new-ground-indian-nbl-seeks-entry-into-nbl-and-tauihi-leagues/|title=BREAKING NEW GROUND: INDIAN NBL SEEKS ENTRY INTO NBL AND TAUIHI LEAGUES|work=nznbl.basketball|date=19 July 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719023953/https://nznbl.basketball/breaking-new-ground-indian-nbl-seeks-entry-into-nbl-and-tauihi-leagues/|archive-date=19 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Egan|first=Brendon|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350347432/nbl-tauihi-basketball-leagues-set-feature-indian-backed-teams-2025|title=NBL, Tauihi basketball leagues set to feature Indian backed teams from 2025|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=19 July 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719031322/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350347432/nbl-tauihi-basketball-leagues-set-feature-indian-backed-teams-2025|archive-date=19 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/07/19/indian-backed-teams-to-join-nz-basketball-leagues-in-2025/|title=Indian-backed teams to join NZ basketball leagues in 2025|work=1news.co.nz|date=19 July 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719031615/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/07/19/indian-backed-teams-to-join-nz-basketball-leagues-in-2025/|archive-date=19 July 2024}}</ref> On 30 October 2024, it was announced that the Indian Panthers would join the [[2025 New Zealand NBL season]],<ref name=panthers-join-nbl>{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/indian-panthers-join-nbl-tauihi-kiwi-basketball-set-to-soar-in-india/|title=Indian Panthers Join NBL & Tauihi – Kiwi Basketball Set To Soar In India|work=nznbl.basketball|date=30 October 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116062046/https://nznbl.basketball/indian-panthers-join-nbl-tauihi-kiwi-basketball-set-to-soar-in-india/|archive-date=16 November 2024}}</ref> with a roster primarily consisting of Indian national players.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Indian Panthers are taking shape ahead of their entry into the New Zealand men's basketball league |url=https://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=417915&cat=977&fm=newsmain%2Cnarts |access-date=7 March 2025 |work=NZCity |date=5 March 2025}}</ref> They based themselves in [[Auckland]], with the city being home to the largest percentage of migrants from [[India]] as of the [[2023 New Zealand census|2023 census]].<ref name=stuff-panthers>{{cite news |title=It's official – Indian Panthers confirmed to join New Zealand basketball leagues in 2025 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360468306/its-official-indian-panthers-confirmed-join-new-zealand-basketball-leagues-2025 |access-date=30 October 2024 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=30 October 2024}}</ref> While initially believed to be backed by the INBL, it was later reported by ''[[The Post (New Zealand newspaper)|The Post]]'' that club backing had been via Australia-based property entrepreneurs who were not present in Auckland.<ref name="hangs-thread" />

Ten Indian players were initially named in the Panthers' squad,<ref name=ended-in-failure>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Gaurav |title=Why the Indian Panthers’ debut season ended in failure |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/561937/why-the-indian-panthers-debut-season-ended-in-failure |access-date=23 May 2025 |work=RNZ |date=23 May 2025 |language=en-nz}}</ref> including [[Princepal Singh]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Roster |url=https://indianpanthers.co.nz/roster/ |website=indianpanthers.co.nz |access-date=23 May 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519051706/https://indianpanthers.co.nz/roster/ |archive-date=19 May 2025}}</ref> However, due to a delayed start and end of the INBL season,<ref name=thespinoff>{{cite news |last1=Borrowdale |first1=James |title=Unpaid wages and walkouts: the downfall of the NBL's Indian Panthers |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/23-07-2025/unpaid-wages-and-walkouts-the-downfall-of-the-nbls-indian-panthers |access-date=27 July 2025 |work=The Spinoff |date=23 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> as well as delayed [[Travel visa|visa]] applications and an [[India men's national basketball team|Indian national team]] camp, the Panthers were unable to participate in the NBL's pre-season tournament<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/panthers-visa-setback/|title=Indian Panthers to Join Sal's NBL on March 12 After Visa Setback|work=nznbl.basketball|date=28 February 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228055202/https://nznbl.basketball/panthers-visa-setback/|archive-date=28 February 2025}}</ref> and two days prior to their season opener, it was announced that the team would start the season with a mostly New Zealand player roster,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/panthersrosterupdate/|title=Panthers Expand Kiwi Connection Due To Indian National Team Camp|work=nznbl.basketball|date=10 March 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310120235/https://nznbl.basketball/panthersrosterupdate/|archive-date=10 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Indian National Basketball League team to debut with ... Kiwi players |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360609974/new-indian-national-basketball-league-team-debut-kiwi-players |access-date=11 March 2025 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=11 March 2025 |archive-date=10 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310235254/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360609974/new-indian-national-basketball-league-team-debut-kiwi-players |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Panthers a mystery ahead of NBL debut |url=https://www.nzsportswire.com/post/indian-panthers-unknown-ahead-of-nbl-debut |access-date=11 March 2025 |work=NZ Sports Wire |date=11 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Straight Shot: Indian Panthers Season Preview |url=https://nznbl.basketball/straightshotpanthers2025/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=nznbl.basketball |date=12 March 2025 |language=en-AU}}</ref> which included [[Leon Henry]].<ref name=nzsportswire>{{cite news |title=Import guard departs reeling Indian Panthers |url=https://www.nzsportswire.com/post/import-guard-departs-reeling-indian-panthers |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=NZ Sports Wire |date=10 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Henry reportedly took responsibility to scramble together a roster of social players after management initially threatened to forfeit the first four games of the season.<ref name="thespinoff" />

In their inaugural game on 12 March 2025, the Panthers lost 112–78 to the [[Hawke's Bay Hawks]] in [[Napier, New Zealand|Napier]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Teen stars as Hawks tip-off NBL with win |url=https://www.nzsportswire.com/post/hawks-vs-panthers |access-date=13 March 2025 |work=NZ Sports Wire |date=12 March 2025 |language=en |archive-date=13 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313150652/https://www.nzsportswire.com/post/hawks-vs-panthers |url-status=live }}</ref> Head coach Miles Pearce chose to step down after just one game, announcing his departure two days before the Panthers' debut home game of the season. He was replaced by interim coach Jonathan Goodman.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tom |first1=Blessen |title=Home losses, coach's departure sour start to Indian Panthers' debut season |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/545852/home-losses-coach-s-departure-sour-start-to-indian-panthers-debut-season |access-date=27 March 2025 |work=RNZ |date=25 March 2025 |language=en-nz}}</ref> The team was later without Goodman, their CEO and their general manager for a fortnight, with the trio all based in [[Melbourne]].<ref name=nzherald>{{cite news |last1=Fa'afiu |first1=Elijah |title=Indian Panthers: Team CEO responds to concerns about pay delays |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/basketball/indian-panthers-nbl-teams-ceo-responds-to-concerns-about-pay-delays/UW7LI2FY65BE5DS3KXEOI3H2V4/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |work=NZ Herald |date=30 April 2025 |language=en-NZ}}</ref> American import [[Alex Robinson (basketball)|Alex Robinson]] parted ways with the team after six games<ref name="nzsportswire" /> due to non-payment.<ref name=disrespectful>{{cite news |title=Former Indian Panthers player slams 'disrespectful' treatment from team |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/30/former-indian-panthers-player-slams-disrespectful-treatment-from-team/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |work=1News |date=30 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

The team reportedly did not have a practice facility in Auckland, with impromptu training sessions having to be organised by players.<ref name=hangs-thread>{{cite news |last1=Hinton |first1=Marc |title=Indian Panthers' spot in NBL hangs by thread as players allege 'delayed payments' |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360671992/indian-panthers-spot-nbl-hangs-thread-after-missed-player-payment-accusations |access-date=23 May 2025 |work=The Post |date=1 May 2025}}</ref> In lieu of training, the team would merely assemble at the venue a couple of hours before a game to do what they could as they awaited tip-off.<ref name="thespinoff" /> A mid-season home venue switch saw the Panthers move from [[Takanini]] to [[Pukekohe]] because the club was unable to afford the operational costs at Pulman Arena.<ref name="nzherald" /> With outstanding bills owed to Pulman Arena, the club began relying on the generosity of the [[Franklin Bulls]] to stage home games at the [[Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre]].<ref name=thepost>{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Ian |title=Indian Panthers suspended from NZ National Basketball League |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360673616/indian-panthers-suspended-nz-national-basketball-league |access-date=1 May 2025 |work=The Post |date=1 May 2025}}</ref>

By late April, just three of the team's ten Indian players had travelled to New Zealand.<ref name="ended-in-failure" /> Internal questions over the delayed arrival of the team's Indian players would go unanswered by management.<ref name="nzherald" /> The team's Chinese import, Shenghze Li, and three Indian players—Tushal Singh, Aaron Blessing and Sejin Mathew—reportedly lacked funds to pay for food, relying on food banks and rival clubs giving them food vouchers.<ref name="hangs-thread" /> Reports emerged that the challenges faced by Indian players already with the Panthers in New Zealand were discouraging their compatriots back in India from joining the team.<ref name="nzherald" />

On 25 April 2025, the New Zealand NBL was notified about delayed payments to Panthers players and staff. A meeting with the team's ownership occurred on 28 April. By the next day, some players had been paid and the game against the [[Canterbury Rams]] was expected to go ahead, but the Panthers players chose not to play, leading the league to postpone the match.<ref name="disrespectful" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Panthers Update |url=https://nznbl.basketball/panthersupdate/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |work=nznbl.basketball |date=30 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Troubled Indian Panthers basketball team accused of failing to pay players |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360670805/troubled-indian-panthers-basketball-team-accused-failing-pay-players |access-date=1 October 2025 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=30 April 2025}}</ref> On 1 May, the Panthers were suspended indefinitely from the league with immediate effect.<ref name="thepost" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Panthers Suspended |url=https://nznbl.basketball/pantherssuspended/ |access-date=1 May 2025 |work=nznbl.basketball |date=1 May 2025}}</ref> On 9 May, the league postponed two further games involving the Panthers and provided the team a 10-day notice to fully adhere to all conditions; if not satisfied, the participation agreement would be terminated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Panthers Update |url=https://nznbl.basketball/panthersupdate9525/ |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=nznbl.basketball |date=9 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hinton |first1=Marc |title=New Zealand NBL issues notice of termination to troubled Indian Panthers franchise |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360684252/new-zealand-nbl-issues-notice-termination-troubled-indian-panthers-franchise |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=9 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Panthers face ejection from basketball league |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/560507/indian-panthers-face-ejection-from-basketball-league |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=RNZ |date=9 May 2025 |language=en-nz}}</ref> On 19 May, it was reported that the team's three Indian players had returned to India.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tom |first1=Blessen |title=Indian Panthers players reportedly return to India as termination deadline nears |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/561465/indian-panthers-players-reportedly-return-to-india-as-termination-deadline-nears |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=RNZ |date=19 May 2025 |language=en-nz}}</ref> That same day, the Panthers' 20 May game against the [[Tauranga Whai]] was postponed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Panthers Game Postponed |url=https://nznbl.basketball/panthers19525/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |work=nznbl.basketball |date=19 May 2025}}</ref>

On 22 May 2025, the Panthers officially withdrew from the NBL, citing an inability to meet the league's requirements to complete the season due to a range of factors. As a result of the Panthers withdrawal, the NBL advised that the 2025 season would be completed with 11 teams and that all results from the nine games played by the Panthers would be removed entirely.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Panthers Withdraw From National Basketball League |url=https://nznbl.basketball/pantherswithdraw/ |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=nznbl.basketball |date=22 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Panthers withdraw from National Basketball League |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/basketball/indian-panthers-withdraw-from-national-basketball-league/QXXOSICZEVD7FAVGX6ONP6PK5Y/ |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=NZ Herald |date=22 May 2025}}</ref> The Panthers had a 0–9 record at the time of their withdrawal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hinton |first1=Marc |title=Indian Panthers withdraw from New Zealand NBL, unable to meet conditions to continue |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360698580/indian-panthers-withdraw-new-zealand-nbl-unable-meet-conditions-continue |access-date=22 May 2025 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=22 May 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20250519051047/https://indianpanthers.co.nz/ Official website (archived)]
*{{youtube|iDOnwCPcdY0|Indian Panthers to bring 'flavour of India to New Zealand basketball' {{!}} RNZ}}
*[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/basketball/indian-panthers-suspension-companies-out-of-pocket-allege-owed-thousands-of-dollars/2CHVTJGCVVGBPPOD55JRGNC25Q/ "Indian Panthers suspension: Companies out of pocket, CEO Parveen Batish alleged to owe thousands of dollars"] at nzherald.co.nz

{{National Basketball League (New Zealand)}}

[[Category:Basketball teams in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Basketball teams in Auckland]]
[[Category:National Basketball League (New Zealand) teams]]
[[Category:Basketball teams established in 2024]]
[[Category:2024 establishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Basketball teams disestablished in 2025]]
[[Category:2025 disestablishments in New Zealand]]

Indian Panthers - Revision history

Budhu: creating data