AFL can follow the NBL
NBL boss Larry Kestelman has boldly offered the AFL a meeting to discuss expansion in the wake of the Tasmania JackJumpers’ historic surge to a grand final series, cheekily saying: “We would even consider sharing the JackJumpers’ name.”
The JackJumpers’ remarkable success has prompted AFL officials to closely monitor the franchise’s set-up, and they have even attended games.
Kestelman has close relationships with key AFL figures, and has happily shared information when contacted.
Now with the AFL looking to expand into Tasmania, basketball’s boss is willing to discuss how his team managed to succeed in the Apple Isle.
“The AFL should come and approach us and see if they want to call their team the JackJumpers as well,” Kestelman said. “We’d definitely think about it.
“I’ve exchanged messages with people I know on the AFL Task Force, and they have been very complimentary.
“In reverse, I’m very supportive of the AFL coming to Tasmania. I have no problem with it. We’ve got a five-year headstart, but if the AFL announce a team there, I’ll be very happy for the state of Tasmania. The state will have a team for the summer and the winter.”
Tasmania has long been a tough sell for professional sport in Australia, but Kestelman was always confident the NBL could succeed in the Island state.
He took the time to meet with at least 60 businesspeople in Tasmania, who were all desperate to have their own team on the national stage.
“You have to play to your strengths, so I had to play on basketball’s advantage compared to other sports,” he said.
“An AFL budget for a team is $50m and a venue would be close to $700 billion to build. That is a big challenge.
“I saw an opportunity for basketball, given our budget to set up a team is $10m.
“It is hard for other sports like the AFL to set up a Tassie team and have immediate success, but it is possible in basketball.
“We can also give Tasmania exposure globally, so the NBL ticks a lot of boxes for them.”
The NBL first indicated that Tasmania was on its expansion radar in February, 2019. Kestelman planted his first serious seeds in November that year when he met with former Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman.
Hodgman made it clear that he didn’t want to be taken for a ride if the NBL couldn’t deliver on its dream.
Kestelman finds it hard to describe the love the JackJumpers fans have for their team. They will have as many as three more opportunities to show that love this season.