NBL boss backs powerhouse plans for Mayor’s cash splash at Gold Coast Basketball

NBL COO Vince Crivelli has backed Mayor Tom Tate’s plans to splash the cash on Gold Coast’s bid to return to the league as rival players warn the Queensland team could lure the competition’s best players. Expansion latest here.

Brisbane Bullets star Casey Prather with Matt Kenyon from the South East Melbourne Phoenix at the NBL Blitz launch.. Picture Glenn Hampson

Players believe the creation of a Gold Coast National Basketball League franchise will create an instant powerhouse that could launch a stunning raid on the competition’s top talent.

Momentum for the Glitter Strip to receive one of the licences up for grabs in the coming years continues to grow as the NBL looks to expand on its current 10-team league.

The groundswell of support gathered steam on Tuesday when the NBL announced the NBL Blitz pre-season competition would return to the Gold Coast for a second-year straight.

“To the NBL, I hope this is the beginning of a long-term relationship and I believe we’ll be able to bring more basketball to the Gold Coast,” Mr Tate said at the Blitz announcement.

“It’s about time Gold Coast joined back in and had a national team.”

Momentum for a Gold Coast return to the NBL has been rapid since the league opened its doors to expansion.

Mayor Tom Tate goes over the top during a little one on one with Brisbane Bullets star Casey Prather. Picture Glenn Hampson

South East Melbourne Phoenix guard Matt Kenyon said a Gold Coast team would put rivals on high alert and wield the power to lure the game’s best.

“I’ve heard it’s definitely on the cards, I think a lot of people would be stoked on the Gold Coast and inside the NBL,” Kenyon said.

“If we do get a team on the Gold Coast they’d have the pick of the litter.

“It’d be really cool if they had a team here … another rivalry in the NBL.

“Everyone wants to play to play (here).”

Brisbane Bullets star Casey Prather said players would be attracted by the Coast lifestyle and believed the elite pathway would bolster an already strong junior participation base in the area.

“The youth are really inspiring, so I think it’s important to have a professional team out here so kids can see what they’re aspiring to be,” Prather said.

Bobi Klintman of the Cairns Taipans dribbles the ball under pressure from Lachlan Olbrich of the Hawks at the NBL Blitz 2023. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

“We get tired of playing the same guys over and over again so the more teams the better.
“For Brisbane in particular it would be good to have a rivalry between another Queensland team other than Cairns.

“Who wouldn’t come out here and live in beautiful Gold Coast … not only play basketball but experience the culture, the beach and surf.”

The 2023 Blitz was rated a huge success by NBL powerbrokers, with 20,000 fans flocking to the tournament at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This year’s event will be held at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre from September 7-14.

Several consortiums, including the Gold Coast Rollers, are vying for the licence and while the governing body is yet to commit to a timeline on its inclusion or a location the success of the Blitz has given NBL chief operating officer Vince Crivelli confidence it would work.

“We’re an agile organisation as you can see by what’s happened in Tasmania with the success of the JackJumpers,” Crivelli said.

“We see no reason why we can’t replicate that on the coast.

“We’ve been working really hard to see and understand how we might get to play more basketball here on the coast.

“The sport is booming, we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

As it stands, infrastructure is the biggest concern for seeing those hopes become reality.

Brisbane Bullets star Casey Prather with Matt Kenyon from the South East Melbourne Phoenix at the NBL Blitz launch.. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We’re aware of plans to further develop sporting infrastructure in the region which truthfully really excites us as a league and gives us the option to continue on the path of exploring an NBL team,” Crivelli said.

“We’re optimistic there’s positive news to come but we’ve still got a little bit to do.

Crivelli said the NBL would continue to work with stakeholders via the Blitz to ensure the Gold Coast is ready when it enters the league.

“Last year’s event was such a success … our athletes, our teams and coaches, they all loved coming to the Gold Coast.

“The most important factor is the partnerships we’ve developed here with all the relevant parties who are equally invested and excited at the prospect of more NBL content here on the Coast,” he said.

“You put together the experience … the fact we had record attendance of fans and amazing partners to work with, it was a no-brainer.”

NBL COO Vince Crivelli spoke of the league’s decision to return to the Gold Coast in 2024.

“Last year’s event was such a success … our athletes, our teams and coaches, they all loved coming to the Gold Coast.

“The most important factor is the partnerships we’ve developed here with all the relevant parties who are equally invested and excited at the prospect of more NBL content here on the coast,” he said.

“You put together the experience … the fact we had record attendance of fans and amazing partners to work with, it was a no-brainer.”

Nathan Sobey of the Bullets shoots during the 2023 NBL Blitz match between Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets Mayor Tom Tate is prepared to splash the cash on a Gold Coast return to the National Basketball League as the city continues to grow its partnership with the nation’s premiere men’s hoops competition. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

The Gold Coast Rollers were part of the league from 1992 to 1996. The GC re-entered the league as the Blaze from 2007 before departing again in 2012.

And without the necessary infrastructure for a national team, the Gold Coast will have to continue its wait for a return. Enter the mayor.

NBL COO Vince Crivell speaks during a NBL media opportunity at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images for NBL)

“I’m more than happy to budget and build the infrastructure that’s needed,” Mr Tate said.

“It’s not a matter of how we do it, it’s how quickly we want to do it.

“The only ask I have is … the brand is representative of the city and with that we can bring everyone from the Gold Coast on the journey.”

NBL chief operations officer Vince Crivelli said the reintroduction of a Gold Coast team would be a wonderful achievement for everyone involved.

“I do think that the Coast is ready for a team in the NBL but we’re also in a situation where we want to make sure the team is sustainable, successful and loved by the basketball community here in Queensland,” he said.

“While we’re in hurry to make it happen, we’re not in a hurry to make it happen at the expense of missing a few steps. We’ll be diligent in how we approach it.”