The owners of the Dunedin-based team have handed back their playing licence to the league.
That means the Hoiho will not participate in Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa this year unless someone steps forward to rescue the franchise.
Hoiho general manager Angela Ruske declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
But multiple sources have confirmed the development to the Otago Daily Times.
The players were informed earlier this week and it is understood SEN Teams, the registered owner of the Hoiho, was looking for buyers but has instead surrendered the licence.
SEN Teams chief executive Richard Simkiss could not be reached for comment.
The National Basketball League declined to comment when approached yesterday.
But it is understood the NBL will hold on to the playing licence.
It is up to the league to decide whether it will pass the licence on to someone else, or whether it will call for expressions of interest.
There is a chance the playing licence could be picked up by a party outside of Dunedin, which would be a loss for the city’s basketball community.
The Otago Daily Times understands a couple of parties are desperate to keep the team in the city and are considering making a bid for the playing licence.
However, changes to the fledgling league last season transformed the competition into a more import-driven product.
Teams were required to contract five imports, which meant there was not as much court time available for the New Zealand players.
Rules stated at least one New Zealand player had to always be on the court.
But the move really watered down its status as a national league and its value as a pathway for player development.
That created some ill-feeling among the players and left the league’s critics wondering whether the push to promote the league on a global stage was at the expense of the development of homegrown players.
The Tauihi league made its debut in 2022. The inaugural season was won by the Wellington-based Tokomanawa Queens.
Northern Kahu claimed the banner in 2023 and the Tauranga Whai were crowned champions last season.
The Indian Panthers are set to join the league this year.
If the Hoiho cannot be resurrected the South Island’s representation will be reduced to just one team, yet there will be a team from India competing.
SEN Teams is also the owner of the Otago Nuggets’ playing licence, but there is no suggestion the men’s team is under any immediate threat.
The Nuggets open their campaign against the Southland Sharks at the Edgar Centre on March 14.
SEN Teams is a subsidiary of the Australian company Sports Entertainment Group, whose owner, Craig Hutchison, sold the Perth Wildcats to tech entrepreneur Mark Arena last year.
