NBL could be playing regular season games and a Euroleague-style tournament in Asia in five years

THE reborn National Basketball League could be playing regular season games and a Euroleague-like tournament in China and the Philippines within five years.

A capacity crowd at Hisense arena with an open roof during the NBL Match Melbourne United versus the Perth Wildcats at Hisense arena in Melbourne on Sunday 27th December, 2015. Picture: Mark Dadswell

THE reborn National Basketball League could be playing regular season games and a Euroleague-like tournament in China and the Philippines within five years.

NBL executive director Larry Kestelman recently travelled to Asia to unveil his plans for expansion, which involve a close partnership between the NBL and the best leagues in Asia.

An Asian top-tier tournament involving NBL clubs, similar to the Euroleague, has been mooted, along with pre-season tournaments in China, the world’s fastest-growing basketball nation.

Part of the high-level talks also included taking some NBL games to China and having teams from the Philippines travel to Australia to play NBL teams during the regular season.

“We spoke about our vision and how we can all work closer as a group and how we can co-operate between the different countries,” Kestelman said. “And that means tournaments, events and competitions, the same as what Europe does.

“I know (world governing body) FIBA is quite supportive of that as well, and I’ve had discussions with them.”

Kestelman said the main priority was to make sure the incoming Brisbane Bullets are a success, while also ensuring the NBL’s revival continues.

Expansion into Asia, however, looms as the next step within two to five years and Kestleman has employed an associate, Matt Weston, charged with “executing our overseas plans”.

“There’s a lot of work to do on that front, but that is where the future lies, I believe,” Kestelman said. “We need to really look at ourselves more as a region and open up the borders and work a lot closer together.”

The Melbourne property tycoon said he had received strong feedback following his conversations in Asia.

A capacity crowd turned out at Hisense arena with an open roof for a match between Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“I think our standard of league is as good, if not better, than anything else in our region, but we know the population and the wealth is potentially more so across the borders,” Kestelman said.

“So we need to match those two things and work much closer together. I will say that both the Philippines and China are open to my idea and vision.

“They’re not easy things to execute on, so now it is down to planning.”

Under the leadership of Kestelman and general manager Jeremy Loeliger, the NBL is enjoying a strong revival this season with crowds on the up.

Kestelman now is in the US, watching NBA games and taking notes on how to improve the NBL even further next season.

“It is about all the teams and the players buying into what business that we’re in, which is the business of entertainment with, of course, basketball as the main product in the middle,” he said.

Originally published as NBL could be playing regular season games and a Euroleague-style tournament in Asia in five years