Entry to the Otago Nuggets match against the Manawatu Jets at the Edgar Centre this Saturday will be free.
No, that's not a mis-print. There is a tiny catch, though.
Basketball Otago will be circulating a bucket during the breaks asking people to pay what they think the entertainment is worth.
It is a marketing strategy acting Basketball Otago chief executive Sandy Wallace hopes will pay off - and not just financially.
"Fresh ideas are always worth a try," she said.
"It is a game we know the team is targeting and it is something [Basketball Otago] can do to encourage people to come along and support the boys."
Crowds have been reasonable, with between 700-1000 paying customers attending.
But Wallace hopes the promotion will lure more people out of their homes and to the basketball.
Wallace said the franchise had not been disappointed with the average size of the crowds but there were still plenty of empty seats and filling the 2800-capacity venue remained a goal.
"It is like anything - you always want more. But we'd be happy with a crowd of 1500-2000 people."
Asked whether that was realistic, Wallace replied: "I can't answer that because we've never tried this before."
While there was the potential the franchise would lose out financially, Wallace believed it was worth the gamble.
"We could lose but we might not. We might get more revenue. It is an unknown factor and, I guess, come this time next week we'll know whether it has been beneficial or whether we've thrown some money away."
Season ticket-holders have not been left out. They will receive a free refreshment.
Both the Nuggets and the Jets are winless this season, so the game is crucial for both teams.
The Nuggets' 20-game losing streak stretches back to April 12, 2008 when they beat the Jets in Palmerston North.
Meanwhile, Basketball Otago chairman Ricky Carr said the board would meet tonight to discuss the strategic direction of the organisation and put in place a timeline for appointing a chief executive.
Former chief executive Mark Rogers left last week to take up a role with Tauranga City Basketball Association.
