The Sal’s NBL League Management is issuing an update to all stakeholders and fans that a post-season audit of each team’s total expenditure on players during season 2024 uncovered irregularities with the Taranaki Airs Sal's NBL season activity.
There was a period of further investigation, during which the ownership and management of the Airs fully complied and cooperated at all times, after which a process was initiated to assess whether there had been any non-compliance with league salary cap rules. In the course of that process, it was found, and agreed by the Airs, that there had been non-compliance to a relatively small degree.
League General Manager Maree Taylor has made the following statement in regards to the breach.
“The Sal’s NBL has had salary cap rules in place since 2021 which have been updated and agreed to by all teams each season. So the salary cap is effectively set and put in place by the teams themselves. While these rules include opportunities for players to earn money from third parties, it was during the league’s post-season audit that the Taranaki Airs were found to have made errors with documentation and reporting which has led to them exceeding the cap, albeit by a small amount.
“The League takes the salary cap seriously, as do all teams, and the Airs have fully co-operated with the League’s Game Review Commissioner in this instance and apologised for the errors. A statement will be released by the Airs shortly."
A breach to the salary cap of $300 dollars was accepted by the Airs and the League has issued a financial sanction on the Taranaki Airs of $10,000, which with early plea has been been reduced by $7,500 for a total fine of $2,500 being issued.
The League considers the matter closed with Airs fully eligible for all league activities moving forward.
editors note: Violation and Fine amounts were added to a 2nd edition
