Tasmania JackJumpers owner Larry Kestelman on future of club following NBL24 Championship

Tasmania JackJumpers owner Larry Kestelman has given a detailed insight on what’s next for the franchise following their NBL24 title win.

While it was another year full of sold out crowds that was capped off with a maiden title, Tasmania JackJumpers owner Larry Kestelman understands there is still plenty of work to be done – but he is confident the clubs’ hardworking culture will ensure they remain an NBL powerhouse.

Larry Kestelman is the owner of the Tasmania JackJumpers and owner and executive chairman of the Australian National Basketball League. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The owner of both the NBL and the JackJumpers is still buzzing from a dramatic NBL Grand Final Series that concluded last Sunday with Tasmania winning its first NBL title just three years after entering the league.

But while Kestelman was full of praise for the organisation’s fairy-tale rise, he is under no illusions on the work that needs to be done to ensure that success isn’t just a flash in the pan.

From the long awaited construction of a high performance centre to much needed venue upgrades at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart and the Silverdome in Launceston.

In a wide-ranging chat, the NBL’s owner sat down with Ryan Rosendale to discuss the club’s beginnings and success and where his focus sits in the wake of a championship.

NBL24 SUCCESS

Building a start-up sporting franchise is never an easy task but with Kestelman at the helm – and a government willing to help make it succeed – the savvy businessman was confident they would at the least be competitive from day one.

“I really thought though that we could put a team on the floor that would be very, very competitive,” Kestelman recalls.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 31: JackJumpers celebrate with the trophy during game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 31, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

“I remember talking to (then premier) Will Hodgman and he stressed how important it was that the team was competitive from day one. I promised him that we were going to do it properly and we would do everything the right way to make sure the team was competitive.

“I was very confident we would do well but I think it would be quite arrogant to think that you can start a franchise and go up against the Melbourne, Perth and Sydney’s of the world in the first three years and win a championship.

“But it’s a workman like club built off strong culture. That’s what won them the championship, they just would not go away. Melbourne cracked first. When you think about, that’s what happened. They cracked and the JackJumpers didn’t.

“I’m very proud of this club.”

VENUE UPGRADES AND HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE

With over 3000 fans on the waitlist for tickets at MyState Bank Arena, a Silverdome stadium in dire need of upgrades and a NBL championship team currently based out of the Kingborough Sports Centre, Kestelman admitted there was still plenty of work needed to be done.

But it wasn’t a challenge he would shy away from.

“We need to look at the high performance centre. We need to see how we expand MyState Bank Arena and look at fixing up the Silverdome. We can’t play in the Silverdome the way it is, it’s horrible. So there is a lot of work to be done but we love the challenge,” he said.

“In an ideal world I’d love to fulfil that demand (of over 3000 extra seats) but in a realistic world I think if we could expand to another 3000 seats that would be a great outcome.

“I think that’s the right number and while it puts it at one of the smaller venues we have – around 7,200 – it’s a good number to have.”

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 28: Fans show support during game four of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena, on March 28, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Kestelman said the government had agreed to partake in a study on how to achieve that goal and was hopeful on an outcome in the next two months.

While initial agreements between he and the government were to also build a high performance centre at the surrounding Wilkinson’s Point, planning delays have meant construction is yet to begin some five years later.

But Kestelman was confident work would soon begin although he revealed its original location may not be where the venue is eventually built.

“We have commitment from the government to kick off construction within 90 days for the high performance centre. That’s our number one priority because it’s super desperate,” he said.

“Its best location is what we are assessing – where will it happen faster. Wherever it can happen quicker, I’m all for it. I truly don’t mind and I think the coaching staff are at the same point.”

Kestelman also confirmed he would visit the Silverdome in the coming days and said a “cosmetic facelift” was the most likely improvement for the venue to ensure it met NBL broadcast and fan standards.

SALE OF CLUB

With Kestelman confirming his desire to sell the JackJumpers last year to local owners – in full or part – he also gave an update on where discussions sat following the championship win.

“I think it’s fair to say that I have struggled to find Tasmanian business people to step up and that’s surprised me,” he said.

“So my focus for the next six months will be to deliver what is behind schedule and that’s venue upgrades and the high performance centre. Then we will focus on the sale and that will probably be more of an overseas focus.”

While he admitted it was “disappointing” that a local buyer had yet to be secured, he said there was no rush to find the next owner.

FINNEGAN’S FUTURE

With reports earlier this week emerging that AFL club St Kilda had JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan in their sights for their vacant CEO role, Kestelman confirmed that the highly respected leader was set to remain at the helm.

Tasmania JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan and Head Coach, Scott Roth with the NBL trophy. Picture: Linda Higginson / Tasmania JackJumpers

“I’ve had conversations with Christine about it and she has reaffirmed her commitment to the JackJumpers,” he said.

“I’m proud of her and I think it’s absolutely flattering that AFL clubs are chasing her – because they should – but she is committed to the JackJumpers.”