NBL Coast looking clear
THE Gold Coast could boast a regular NBL presence as soon as next year, with the league planning to expand to include a team with major China links.
The outfit would play several home games on the Coast, as well as in China and possibly other Asian cities.
While it would be an Australian team, the new entity would include several Chinese players as roster imports, creating a pathway for Asian players looking to make the step up from domestic competitions.
Opportunities for corporate backing and broadcast of the NBL into China also make the “hybrid” team attractive.
NBL majority owner and executive director Larry Kestelman, who was on the Gold Coast for the Brisbane Bullets’ match against China on Tuesday night, said the 3500 people that turned up to Carrara showed there was an appetite for elite basketball in the city.
Having the Bullets play more games on the Coast – as they will in an NBL fixture against Melbourne United in October – is a first step that could lead to a Coast team as early as the 2018-19 season.
“We definitely have a vision for the fact that there’s a demand for basketball on the Gold Coast,” Kestelman said.
“The participation and numbers are very encouraging. People love it, they play it, kids love it, the numbers are absolutely there.
“What we want to do is for starters, is have the Brisbane Bullets come back and play
some games and as long as we see the growth — and (Tuesday’s game against China) was a great indication there is very much an interest for it – we’ll have a look at what it means.
“I’m not sure that a fulltime team playing 14 home games out of the Gold Coast is the right answer (but) with what work has been done between Gold Coast and the Chinese community and China in general, this could potentially be a great home for a team that plays part of its games here, part on the road and does a lot of work in China.
“That’s something we’re absolutely looking closely at.”
An All-Australian NBL team recently toured China for three games, with China then heading to Australia to face Melbourne and the Bullets.
The tours reinforced the links being forged between the NBL and Chinese Basketball Association and its president, former NBA player Yao Ming.
“There would have to be without a doubt an Asian contingent playing for the (Gold Coast) team,” Kestelman said.
“We’re working closely with Yao Ming and the CBA in China to figure out what we think their involvement (will be) and how that model looks.”
Kestelman would not put a firm timeline on the project.
“Expansion is a buzzword and we’re not expansion at all costs, we’re actually quite OK with where the league is at,” he said. “If there is the right opportunity, then we’ll do it, if not, we don’t have to do anything, so we’ll take it one step at a time.”