Ticket refunds look unlikely for Boomers USA games
The initial expectations that existed for a competitive series against top-tier talent from USA and Australia, has rapidly faded in recent weeks.
In contrast to earlier marketing, elite NBA stars like Anthony Davis and James Harden have withdrawn for various reasons, mostly to focus on the preparation for the next NBA season. Others like Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson were unavailable, due to injury. Bradley Beal withdrew from the roster due to the birth of his child, who will be due somewhere between late August to early September.
In light of the multiple withdrawals from Team USA's star players, some disheartened fans decided to put the question to Ticketmaster, and ask for a refund on purchased game tickets for the Basketball Australia v USA Basketball series.
https://pickandroll.com.au/team-usa-stars-continue-withdraw-as-world-cup-draws-near/
It looks like the answer isn't going to be a yes.
According to Twitter user @Muthapunter, Ticketmaster responded with the following statement.
In regard to your request for a refund of your tickets, our Client Manager has advised that after presenting your request to the Promoter/Venue for review, your request has unfortunately been declined.
As previously advised, Refund and Exchange requests are subject to conditions that are outlined in our Purchase Policy. To view our Purchase Policy please click here.
The teams who will play at the Marvel Stadium games in Melbourne comprise of the very best basketball athletes from each of Australia and the United States.
Like any team sport, injuries, suspensions, team balance and form play a part in determining the final squads. We are very excited that these games will feature the strongest USA Team ever to play in Australia and they will face the strongest ever Boomers team. These are not just exhibition games - they are crucially important final preparations before the FIBA World Cup - with huge stakes involved. So they will be fiercely contested and incredible sporting events in front of a massive sell-out crowd of mainly Boomers fans! We hope you understand and we look forward to sharing this momentous sporting event with us in August.
Ticketmaster's purchase policy is available on their website.
While the final Team USA roster has yet to be locked down, it's hard to make an argument that this potential roster could be more talented than the 2000 Olympics USA squad that played in Sydney. In that same tournament were the "Medal, or bust" Australian Boomers, that had included among others, Andrew Gaze, Luc Longley, Mark Bradtke, Andrew Vlahov, Shane Heal.
https://pickandroll.com.au/medal-bust-reliving-sydney-2000/
That team from the United States back in 2000, included names like Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd and Alonzo Mourning, among others.
There still remains high-level talent for the coming exhibition games. Boston Celtic guard, Kemba Walker confirmed to The Athletic that his commitment for the coming games remain unchanged. “I will be there for sure. I could care less about who’s dropping out.”
Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks intends to play with Team USA in China, as is Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry and Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings. Team USA will hold its first intrasquad scrimmage on 9 August.
An updated list of Team USA's training camp roster is shared below.
Update: A list of USA NBA players not participating in the FIBA World Cup with linked sources has been added.
Ben Simmons also committed to the Boomers exhibition games, after withdrawing from the World Cup tournament in China.
Tickets for the Australian Boomers v USA Basketball games are still available on Ticketek.
The Australian Boomers will play Team USA on 22 and 24 August 2019, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Team USA FIBA 2019 World Cup training camp roster
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) (accepted invite via Wojnarowski)
Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks)
Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings)
Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics)
Kyle Kuzma (Los Angeles Lakers)
Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)
Mason Plumlee (Denver Nuggets)
Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers)
P.J. Tucker (Houston Rockets)
Thaddeus Young (Chicago Bulls)
List via NBA's official release on 25 July 2019 ET, with additional sources linked.
USA NBA players not participating in FIBA 2019 World cup
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons) (news via Winderman)
Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers) (focus on season via Haynes)
Blake Griffin (Detroit Pistons) (news via Prada)
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards) (birth of child via Haynes)
CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers) (focus on season via Haynes)
Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) (news via Charania)
DeMarcus Cousins (Los Angeles Lakers) (news via Prada)
DeMar DeRozan (San Antonio Spurs) (focus on season via Charania)
Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) (news via Prada)
Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets) (news via Charania)
James Harden (Houston Rockets) (focus on season via Feigen)
JJ Redick (New Orleans Pelicans) (declined invite via Charania)
Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers) (news via Prada)
Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) (injured in playoffs)
Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers) (news via Charania)
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors) (injured in playoffs)
Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors) (thumb, news via Instagram)
Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets) (news via Prada)
Julius Randle (New York Knicks) (family reasons via Windhorst)
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) (news via Prada)
Montrezl Harrell (Los Angeles Clippers) (unlikely to attend via Charania)
Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers) (news via Prada)
Paul Millsap (Denver Nuggets) (news via Zillgitt, USA Basketball release)
Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets) (news via Prada)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) (news via Prada)
Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers) (focus on season via Pompey)