BIDS to host top-level US baseball and basketball matches in Melbourne have been blocked after a funding curveball.
Victorian Major Events Company chiefs are understood to have been close to luring a Major League Baseball game to Victoria, and were also chasing a National Basketball Association game.
But insiders say Melbourne's shot at those sports' big leagues collapsed after the State Government refused to underwrite the showcase events.
Government spokesman Paul Price declined to comment last night, but the decision is understood to have frustrated some figures within the VMEC who had been trying for more than a year to entice the MLB and NBA here.
The baseball bid would have seen Etihad Stadium host either the MLB 2014 season opener in late March, or an end-of-season exhibition game that November.
NSW event organisers are believed close to securing the baseball deal at the Sydney Cricket Ground, even though game officials preferred Etihad Stadium for its retractable roof.However, sources here and in the US confirmed events bosses wrote to the MLB advising Victoria was pulling out "for budget reasons".
MLB games are broadcast regularly in more than 200 countries. Insiders predicted global exposure from a season opener would rival the taxpayer-funded visits to Melbourne by Tiger Woods and Oprah Winfrey.
"We are very interested in playing in Australia, and will continue with discussions," MLB international operations boss Paul Archey said.
"We think it is feasible to do it. We'd love to come play there. We'll find the right partnership to do it, whether it is in Melbourne or Sydney."
The Herald Sun understands one team potentially earmarked for the 2014 match was the Oakland A's, featured in the Brad Pitt movieMoneyball.
MLB had sent an expert to assess venues and Etihad appeared an excellent option, Mr Archey said.
NBA spokeswoman Shiela Rasu said basketball officials held talks with Tourism Victoria and VMEC in September last year about a possible exhibition game.
All parties were keen to capitalise on the strong basketball fan base here, and the growing success of Australian NBA players, including Melbourne's Andrew Bogut.
"We have been discussing many different programs, including a pre-season game ... but nothing definite is planned at this time," Ms Rasu said.
Last night chief executive Brendan McClements said the VMEC looked at "all sorts of opportunities all the time".