The Sal's NBL will introduce championship rings in season 2020 with the winning players, coaches and team staff set to take home a bit of bling to go along with their championship medals.
Backed by Australian-based company Jewel Empire, the championship rings are a new initiative the League hopes will become another feature of New Zealand's elite basketball competition.
"The Sal's NBL isn't far away from entering its fifth decade, so there is plenty of history there," said General Manager Justin Nelson, adding "We want to add a few new things over the next couple of years and championship rings is a bit different and a nice touch that only championship players, coaches and team staff will get each season.
"Hopefully the championship rings become a part of the league's history over the next forty or fifty years! We want our championship teams, and especially the players, having something that's hard to win and can be shown off to family, friends and the fans."
Together with Jewel Empire, the League is currently working on designs ahead of releasing the official 2020 Championship Ring in time for the Sal's NBL Grand Final on Friday July 24.
"It's a bit early to predict which team will be the first to win the rings, but hopefully it's an added touch the teams like, especially the players."
