Kestelman vision already paying dividends
IT is seven months to the day since Melbourne property tycoon Larry Kestelman unveiled his bold vision for his new NBL.
Kestelman always speaks passionately about why he splashed out about $6 million for the controlling stake of the ailing league.
Some may have thought it to be crazy, but Kestelman, the founder of internet company Dodo, knew the potential was limitless for a sport that is successful, both fanwise and commercially, across the globe. Fast forward to today ALTHOUGH there were only three games in round 12, the utterance ‘‘quality, not quantity’’ is one that reverberated across the basketball community.
NBL executive director Larry Kestelman believes round 12 was a big step towards achieving his ultimate vision of the NBL.
“This round was a gamechanger and the NBL is back with a growing credibility and buzz not seen since the glory days of the early 1990s. Take for basketball. The interest in the game, attendances are through the roof, and people are loving it. I couldn’t be happier,” Kestelman said.
Despite the impressive growth of the league, there’s a long way to go, and Kestelman’s sights are set as high as possible.
The long-term vision for Sunday’s clash between Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats as an example.
Just two days
after Kestelman, who has been touring the globe, having meetings with basketball executives, is to work with the likes of the Philippines and China, in an attempt to appeal to the vast Asian basketball fanbase.
“We’ve had some great conversations with the Philippines and China. That’s a bit of a work in progress, but Christmas, a sellout crowd of 10,200 packed out Hisense Arena for a rare open-air game. The atmosphere was that’s my vision, and that’s something that will take a bit of time,” Kestelman said.
“In China, I caught up with Yao Ming, and had a chat with him, and he’s on board with my vision. So we’re going to work with the CBA, and they also have the new NBL over there as well, so I met their commissioners, and had a lot of very good conversations.” electric, with celebrities and sporting stars sitting courtside and children everywhere.
The club’s game-day merchandise sales are said to be up almost four times on last season.
It is tangible proof that the NBL, now armed with a firstclass TV broadcasting deal with Fox Sports, in which every game is shown live, is gaining popularity and developing heroes again, just like the old days.
It is, however, still early days and there is no time for complacency.
There is plenty of work still to be done in the vision to return basketball to major sport status in Australia.
The early signs, however, could not be better.