Vhalov: 'We had to take matches away from arsonists'

• NBA stars Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels come out in support of Larry Kestelman's ownership
• Illawarra Hawks boss Jared Novelly accused Kestelman of a conflict of interest to FIBA
• Novelly wants to NBL to return to a club ownership model, forcing Kestelman out

“We had to take the matches away from the arsonists that could not help themselves" is how Perth Wildcats legend and former owner Andrew Vlahov described club ownership of the NBL in an exclusive report by Code Sports Basketball's Tim Morrissey and Matt Logue.

"I believe the work Larry has done is outstanding," Vlahov added.

"If people only knew all the other stuff below the surface — they would hold him in even higher regard."

Code Sports also spoke to NBA and Australian Boomers superstars Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels in the wake of Illawarra Hawks boss Jared Novelly's bid to force out Larry Kestelman, who has owned the NBL since 2015.

Novelly lodged an official complaint to FIBA this week that accused Kestelman of "a remarkable accumulation of power by one individual within a league and its teams."

Chicago Bulls and Australian Boomers point guard was adamant in his support for Kestelman.

"Larry’s track record speaks for itself. He’s turned the NBL into a world-class league, and he’s the right person to keep leading it," Giddey said.

While Atlanta Hawks NBA's steals leader Dyson Daniels was equally supportive and declared he wanted to own an NBL team in the future.

"Larry is clearly the best executive the sport has had," Daniels said.

Morrissey, a former Sydney Kings NBL forward in the 1980s and 90s, also spoke to former NBL chairman Malcolm Speed, former A-League boss Ben Buckley and the NBL’s leading player agent Daniel Moldovan, who represents Giddey and Daniels, specifically about the club ownership model.

Read the full story at Code Sports Basketball here.

Novelly is the Chairman of Crest Sports and Entertainment, Illawarra Hawks and Shareholder East Asia Superleague Basketball. The Australian newspaper reported Novelly's wealth has been generated by the oil industry. He is the son of the late Apex Oil mogul Paul Novelly.

US President Donald Trump announced Novelly's appointment as the new US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa in late January via Truth Social.

Trump called Novelly "a highly respected philanthropist" and "He will fight hard to protect our Nation's interests in the Indo-Pacific, and always put AMERICA FIRST."

Novelly has owned the Illawarra Hawks since 2023.

Moldovan clearly took aim at Novelly when he told Code Sports Basketball: “Unlike some that have only recently come to our shores I was around for the so-called golden era and was a victim of the NBL‘s lowest moments where club after club collapsed and our doors were almost shut."

The Australian's Yoni Bashan reported on Friday, March 21, 2025: "On Thursday, (Novelly) mobilised a hostile takeover of the league to kick out Kestelman, emailing club owners such as Tesla’s Robyn Denholm, owner of the Sydney Kings, with a term sheet full of details of a buyout plan."

Novelly, who is the new US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, wrote: "I will be filing multiple actions against NBLCO by the end of the month.

"I am taking one last shot to try to allow the current ownership to leave peacefully while saving face and reputation."

Code Sports Basketball reported: "In the email, Novelly raises issues of alleged "secret Ambassador Agreements, gambling revenue, the sale of the JackJumpers, integrity concerns and financial transparency” and offers up terms for the takeover."

Novelly's Takeover Terms:

• Each of the 10 NBL clubs would own a 10 per cent share with a seat on the new board.
• Kestelman would receive $1 million from each club.
• He would retain the proceeds of the $35 million sale of Tasmania JackJumpers.
• He would be given an ongoing position such as "honorary president" or a trophy named in his honour.

In a letter to FIBA, Novelly accused Kestelman of: "At the same time as operating the league, Kestelman has held ownership stakes and business interests in at least three of the 10 teams in the NBL in suppliers, sponsors and partner organisations connected to the NBL as well as in property development adjacent to NBL arenas."

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