Crosscourt: Australia’s greatest coaching stayers, Larry Kestelman reveals plans for NBL expansion
In a wide-ranging interview, NBL owner Larry Kestelman has given an insight into where the league is likely to take its expansion next, as well as his ownership of multiple clubs and the ‘MBL’ conspiracy theory.
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NBL owner Larry Kestelman has given an insight into his approach to expansion, where the league’s next team will likely be, his ownership of multiple clubs and the ‘MBL’ conspiracy theory.
In a wide-ranging interview on the future of the league, Kestelman said an 11th team – earmarked for the Gold Coast was a live possibility – all it needs now is a venue, with a proposal for a 12,000-seat arena adjacent to the iconic Broadwater at Southport edging closer to fruition.
“We’re venue driven wherever we look to expand,” Kestelman told Crosscourt.
“The timing of the venue didn’t work for us to enter a team for the 2025-26 season.
“A venue usually takes a couple of years to build so, whilst that’s happening, we can play in a temporary location - but we need to know that a long-term venue solution is certain.”
READ MORE: ‘His challenge’: Kestelman addresses Roth’s running battle with NBL
Kestelman said work was under way in multiple cities on new potential franchise locations and he hadn’t given up hope on a unique project for Darwin.
A political change in the Territory has held back plans for a team that would become a 50-50 partnership with the NT government, with financial contributions to community programs.
“We will only start teams that we think will be commercially viable and sustainable,” he said.
“We’re hearing good murmurs about a second team in Sydney. We’re hearing good murmurs about Canberra.
“We’ll continue the conversation with the Northern Territory. We’d love to see a team there, but only if the government wants it. It’s as simple as that.
“I really think sport and the NBL could make a real difference in the community in the Territory.
“It’s a big commitment, it’s a lot of money, it’s a lot of work and there’s priorities and sometimes it’s about timing.”
Any new franchise would be controlled in the start up phase by the NBL, similar to the Tasmania JackJumpers, who are the gold standard for expansion clubs in Australian sport.
Then 👉 now
— Tasmania JackJumpers 🜠(@JackJumpers) December 31, 2024
50 sell out games at MyState Bank Arena & 8 sell out games at the Silverdome - a look down memory lane to wrap our 2024!
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But, as he edges closer to the sale of the JackJumpers, Kestelman’s ultimate goal is to exit his interests in teams – once they’re able to stand on their own two feet.
He recently sold a stake in Melbourne United and stands ready to divest of the Brisbane Bullets amid the club’s revival.
“My intent is not to own shares in teams long term,” he said.
“My job at Melbourne is done, I feel United doesn’t need me anymore. I don’t necessarily think Brisbane needs me anymore.
“We at NBL are willing to start teams up and run them for a period of time to build success and do the right thing for the league, in general, but I do need to hand over those teams when they’re ready.
“I think Tasmania is a success now, and I think it’s ready for that.”
Would he like things to happen more quickly for basketball in Australia? Sure. But he’s got a million ideas and has become adept at playing the waiting game.
“I’m 58 now, I’ve realised that quick is not always a reality,” he said.
“I’ve been doing this long enough to know that there’s processes that need to happen and not everything will work out.
“We want to try five different things and if three happen, that’s great.”
Kestelman quashed rumours he’d bought into Adelaide, categorically denying that he’d even had a conversation with owner Grant Kelley or anyone at the club about the prospect.
“That’s completely false and utter nonsense,” Kestelman said, when quizzed if he now owned part of the 36ers.
“Not only have I not bought shares but it was never even a conversation.
“My job is not to buy shares in existing clubs. That is not in line with my strategy.
“My strategy is to own less shares in clubs as they become stronger.
“I want to make sure that the clubs are set up right and operated the right way for success of the whole NBL ecosystem.”
Kestelman, whose journey into basketball began with the rescue of Melbourne Tigers, which became United, scoffs at claims of Melbourne bias rolled out by ‘MBL’ “conspiracy theorists”.
“I can absolutely categorically say there is nothing done for Melbourne United that favours Melbourne United versus South East Melbourne or Sydney or any other club,” he said.
“I care about the success of the overall league and that is my sole focus.”
Kestelman is cognisant of the fact the NBL remains a work in progress as it carves out a space in the nation’s sporting psyche but its evolution is both a source of pride and a challenge he relishes.
“I’m never going to say it’s perfect and I’m as critical of myself probably more than anyone else,” he said.
“I want to keep making it better and I’m not going to slow down.
“I’ll keep on pushing as hard as I can.”
WHO IS THE ‘GOAT’ OF AUSTRALIAN COACHING?
Brian Goorjian might be Australia’s greatest domestic sporting coach based on longevity and trophies, with his record among the finest in this country’s history despite 13 years away from the NBL.
Ahead of Goorjian’s 826th NBL game as coach – against Melbourne United on Thursday – Crosscourt delved into where the Sydney Kings mentor sits in Aussie sports history.
It’s believed the 71-year-old has the third best winning percentage (68.6) on the top-tier domestic stage behind fellow basketball coach Tom Maher (78) and rugby league’s Craig Bellamy (70).
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Maher won an incredible nine WNBL titles for four different clubs.
Goorjian’s 825 games coached is only behind seven-time premiership-winning rugby league mentor Wayne Bennett.
At 75, Bennett is Australia’s oldest serving coach on the professional sporting stage.
Just like rugby league’s coaching GOAT, Goorjian has mastered the ability to evolve his craft spanning decades.
He has won six NBL championships and six coach of the year awards to cement in his legacy.
Goorjian’s record is even more amazing when you consider he has spent 13 seasons away from the NBL coaching in China.
The man nicknamed ‘Goorj’ also led the Australian men’s national team to its first Olympic medal after six decades with a bronze at Tokyo 2021.
Andrew Gaze has seen Goorjian grow from a skinny guard who arrived from America in 1977 to play under his dad Lindsay at the Melbourne Tigers to become one of the best coaches in Australian sport.
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— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) January 8, 2025
The amazing career of Brian Goorjian shows no signs of slowing down, with the legend set to chalk up his 850th NBL game this Thursday, when our Kings battle Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena.
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Hoops great Gaze believes the Kings mentor, who was inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2013, could end up in the Naismith Hall of Fame alongside his father Lindsay, Michele Timms and Lauren Jackson.
“I think so,” Gaze said about Goorjian joining world basketball’s finest players, coaches and officials in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
“When you look at Goorj’s record in the NBL and even when he was in China he always had his teams competing.
“Then add in him being the coach of our first men’s Olympic medal, then I think the (Naismith Hall of Fame) would be a worthy honour for him.”
‘SPECTACULAR’ COTTON’S ‘UNLIKELY’ NBA JUMP
Perth Wildcats little master Bryce Cotton is “unarguably” the NBL’s greatest import player in modern history, but a jump to the NBA for the gun guard is “unlikely” at this stage in his stellar career.
That’s the view of multiple NBA scouts, who spoke to Crosscourt on the condition of anonymity due to league protocols.
While scouts hailed his recent record scoring run as “spectacular”, many believe the Perth star isn’t big enough to secure another NBA deal.
“He has an NBA skillset, but he is a small combo guard at his best,” one scout said about Cotton, who has scored over 40 points in five games this season.
“He can put the ball in the hole, but shaky on defence with his size limitations.
“Also, who was the last overseas 32-year-old 6’1” combo guard who signed in the NBA?
“NBA rosters are now limited with younger players on roster spots 10-15. You don’t see as many capable veterans or locker room guys.
“Maybe 20 years ago, but now that is highly unlikely.”
Cotton has also dropped 35 and 33 points for a season average of 27.3ppg which would easily eclipse the best of his stellar nine-year career. His previous best was 23.5 in 2020-21.
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Originally published as Crosscourt: Australia’s greatest coaching stayers, Larry Kestelman reveals plans for NBL expansion
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