Melbourne has got next on a new NBL club, according to league boss Larry Kestelman.
As expansion talks continue to gain traction, establishing a Victorian team to compete with Melbourne United is on top of the NBL’s agenda. However, Kestelman has conceded the competition won’t rush into the decision and fall victim of jumping the gun.
“We are ready to have a look at another team in Melbourne,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“We are absolutely in no rush to do it. You look at the sellouts, the support, we love the idea of a home derby, so I think that’s probably next.
“We will have a look at other teams but no doubt number one is making sure the clubs who are there actually prosper and do well.
“Melbourne can be divided into three. I can see a day where there are three teams.
“One central, one looking after the southeast and one looking after the west.
“Participation is so huge, you need teams looking after the Dandenong side of things, and they love the game in Geelong as well. We need to see how we can do that.”
AFL clubs and the NBL have been speaking on collaborating to create a new team, following a similar model to Collingwood’s Super Netball squad. The Magpies, Richmond and Fremantle have been mentioned as potential NBL partners.
Kestelman believes “there is a lot of sense” in joining forces with an AFL team, as the season schedules means the sports won’t clash and a base level of support staff will already exist.
United coach Dean Vickerman has also backed the possible AFL/NBL combination, saying examples around the world showcase it is a workable framework.
“The league is at a point where it is so solid with the eight teams that we have right now, I think it will be good to look at an expansion of the league,” he told SEN’s The Run Home.
“Obviously there has been different models of ownership come about with private owners, and to have the backing of an AFL club with the resources they have and to be able to share resources, I couldn’t see a better model.
"I had the opportunity to visit FC Barcelona and I didn't understand what that meant until you go there and see the basketball team, the football team, the handball team, just the whole group…I thought it was outstanding.”
The NBL has had a history of defunct teams, with eight clubs departing the competition since 2000. This includes the South Dragons folding after winning the 2009 championship, due to dissatisfaction with NBL management.
Former Dragons co-owner Mark Cowan has previously stated he didn’t think the NBL’s old structure offered a positive financial return for clubs.
Kestelman also explained how an NBA contest in Australia is progressing, but provided no timeframe on when it would occur.
“No doubt the number one priority is to see more of our Australian NBA guys,” he said.
“We are working with the NBA to see how we can do that. We are a wonderful sports loving nation and we love basketball.
“For the NBA, the priority is to grow the game around the world, so their eyes are squarely on China and India, which is where the population is.
“Whether we get a game next year, I can’t tell you, but we will definitely get one.
“When there is a will, there is a way, and we might find other ways to bring our boys home to play in Australia.”
Did you miss Larry Kestelman’s chat on SEN Breakfast? Take a listen in the player below!