Source :- THE AGE NEWS
National Basketball League chief executive David Stevenson has taken a thinly veiled swipe at dissident franchise owners, declaring the league will continue to work with those who are “aligned in purpose”.
The league has hit back at South East Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Wildcats and Illawarra Hawks, who have taken legal action, questioned the governance and financial matters of league owner Larry Kestelman, established the independent Professional Basketball Club Owners Association, and called for the release of a secret Basketball Australia report.
A BA investigation led by former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson SC cleared Kestelman of any issues. But the three franchises insist the report provided greater detail and want BA to release it, and for Kestelman to waive confidentiality.
Stevenson said the league was only interested in working with clubs interested in growing the sport. The league is a 10-team competition.
“The NBL will continue investing its time, energy and resources in working with the vast majority of clubs that are aligned in purpose and committed to the collective success of the competition,” he said.
“Our focus remains firmly on growing the game for everyone involved. That means making decisions that strengthen the league as a whole, create greater opportunities for all clubs, and continue delivering a world-class competition for our fans, players and partners.
“The NBL holds regular meetings with club owners throughout the year, including two in-person growth conferences, quarterly ownership updates, and a dedicated owners working group that meets every month to discuss strategic priorities, commercial opportunities and the future direction of the league.
“We remain open to constructive dialogue with any club that shares those values. Healthy debate and differing perspectives are an important part of any successful sporting competition. However, our priority is building a stronger future through collaboration, shared ambition and long-term thinking, not fragmentation or pursuing outcomes that benefit only a select few.
“That ongoing collaboration has delivered tangible results. Together, we have seen extraordinary growth in club valuations, record attendances, broadcast viewership, fan engagement and commercial partnerships. Those outcomes have been achieved because the vast majority of clubs have worked collectively, with a shared commitment to growing the competition.”
A spokesman for the Professional Basketball Club Owners Association was contacted for comment.
The NBL says it has experienced record growth through broadcast ratings, sponsorship and attendance. Nine, the owner of this masthead, will be the free-to-air broadcaster this season.
The Phoenix are majority owned by US-based businessman Romie Chaudhari, the Perth Wildcats are owned by multi-millionaire Mark Arena, while the Illawarra Hawks are led by Jared Novelly, a US-based billionaire, Crest Sports and Entertainment chief, and now Donald Trump’s US ambassador to New Zealand.
Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
