Decision on Tasmania being granted 10th NBL licence possible as early as end of December

The Government’s $300,000 investment to bring the NBL Blitz to Tasmania is the first sign of positive talks between it and the NBL owner over putting a team from the state back in the league.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman says the state could know by the end of the year whether it has been granted the NBL’s 10th licence. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

A DECISION on Tasmania’s potential entry into the NBL could come by the end of 2019 if league boss Larry Kestelman is successful in his negotiations with the Glenorchy City Council and State Government.

Kestelman is dealing exclusively with the GCC on the sale of the Derwent Entertainment Centre and Wilkinsons Point, and is also in discussions with the Government regarding funding for a refurbishment of the DEC and running costs of a team in the competition.

The property magnate has not hidden his desire to establish the NBL’s 10th licence in Tasmania, and remains optimistic a five-month time frame is realistic if all the parties can agree.

“My timeline was to try to make it happen not for this season but for the following [2020-21], so that’s a pretty tough timeline,” Kestelman said at Tuesday’s NBL Blitz announcement.

“That’s the only thing that we’re working to now. I think that will be challenging seeing how much work is needed at the facility and even once if everything is approved, how long to get it ready.

“We have a four-month exclusive due diligence with the council, so we’ll try to work to that timeline, so I’m hoping by the end of the year to be able to announce that a team is a reality or not.”

The Government’s $300,000 investment to bring the pre-season competition to the state is arguably the first sign of its seriousness to deliver, and the NBL has launched a website (www.nbltas.com.au) and Twitter handle (@NBLTasmania) for fans to sign up and show their support.

Kestelman has already felt the love from Tasmanian supporters, with his next step to begin talks with potential corporate backers.

“We want to bring basketball to Tasmania … and I think both the Government and ourselves are committed to do everything we can.

“I think it’s a very realistic goal hence the next initiative is the website. The more support we get, the more chance we can bring a team here.

“The sort of interest we’ve had from kids and families and just walking around the streets, and us arriving at the airport, we can feel the buzz, we can feel that Tasmania wants it.

“I promise you as owners … if we feel that we’re actually wanted in the state, and that’s generally the feeling that we have now, then it’s a real chance to make it happen.”