NBL receiving big financial boost from having Next Stars LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton in league
Young US stars LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton are drawing in the crowds, the viewing audiences and the dollars for the NBL and the Next Stars program will benefit.
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Update: The NBL has received a significant financial boost from the presence of NBA-draft bound teens LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, which will be reinvested back into the league including the Next Stars program.
CEO Jeremy Loeliger told The Daily Telegraph that Ball and Hampton’s signings with Illawarra and New Zealand have resulted in a cash boost for the clubs and the league.
On the back of record crowds and landmark deals with Facebook, Twitch and Slam magazine, Loeliger says the NBL is in a financial position to re-invest in the Next Stars program.
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“We want to make sure that the Next Stars is sustainable and continues to attract the right talent,” Loeliger said.
“Any game featuring LaMelo or Hampton, attendances have been up 30 per cent for both home and away games.
“The television numbers continue to grow domestically but more importantly the international market in the US is significant through Facebook and Twitch.
“We’ve seen a lot of benefit but we are still doing it tough here at the NBL.
“We are by no means on easy street but at the moment we are all in the spirit of re-investing back into the growth of the NBL.”
The success of Ball and Hampton’s time in the NBL in the Next Stars program hasn’t gone unnoticed on the global basketball stage.
Loeliger has been inundated with expressions of interest from players, family members, agents and even big-name brands who track rising high school talent.
“They are waiting to see if players will make a move to the NBL next season,” he said.
“We are having discussions already but they are early because people tend not to make decisions or announcements this side of the New Year.
“But all the right people are paying attention, so I have every expectation that it will get bigger and better.”
Loeliger admits he didn’t expect the Next Stars program to attract such record-breaking attention, including almost 2 million people watching Ball and Hampton’s maiden NBL match-up via Facebook.
“I certainly had expectations that they would get this type of attention but I didn’t necessarily think we’d get to that point this year,” he said.
“But LaMelo and Hampton have settled in really well and are playing well.
“In the last round they had their best games so far this season.
“Didi at the Kings has also created a lot of interest in Brazil as well and he is playing some exceptional basketball.
“I think the players’ form is demonstrating the value of the Next Stars program.”
Originally published as NBL receiving big financial boost from having Next Stars LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton in league