Melbourne United is an Australian professional men's basketball team competing in the National Basketball League (NBL). United are the only team in the league representing Victoria and is based in the state capital, Melbourne. As of the 2015–16 season, the team splits its home games between the 10,500-seat Hisense Arena and the 3,500-seat State Netball and Hockey Centre (SNHC), known as "The Cage" within the NBL.[1]
Melbourne United's history stems back to 1931 with the beginning of Victorian Basketball. The Melbourne Tigers brand came into use in 1975, and after the Tigers senior men's team won the South Eastern Basketball League (SEBL) title in 1983, a new Melbourne Tigers entity was entered into the National Basketball League (NBL), as an extension of the Melbourne Basketball Association (MBA). The NBL franchise entered into private ownership in 2002, ending the club's relation with the MBA.[2] After 31 seasons of using the Melbourne Tigers name, the club owners decided to rename the franchise Melbourne United in May 2014, with new colours, uniform and logo to be implemented for the 2014–15 season.[3][4] The change was not well received, as it created an uproar amongst Tigers fans and the wider NBL community.[5][6]
Melbourne United are the equal second most successful club in the NBL alongside the Adelaide 36ers and New Zealand Breakers, with all three clubs having won four NBL championships. Only the Perth Wildcats, who have eight NBL championships, have won more.