Kestelman: 'We are cooking up interesting things'

• Larry Kestelman's goal is more teams and more games
• He revealed its his dream to host an NBA team in Australia
• He wants the NBL to be the 'AFL of summer'

In a candid interview with NBL Overtime NBL executive chairman Larry Kestelman outlined the roadmap for Australian basketball's future, which encompasses league expansion, strengthening the relationship with the NBA, and building a generational sporting legacy.

League Expansion and Strategic Growth

Kestelman is crystal clear about the NBL's growth strategy.

"We are cooking up a lot of interesting things," he explained.

Kestelman said he recognises the potential for expansion, pointing to the success of new additions such as Tasmania JackJumpers as proof of concept.

“It’s all about growth, growing fans, and growing the NBL," added.

"Whether it’s more teams, I think our league does need more teams, you’ve seen the success with the JackJumpers, so I think continuing that growth with the clubs is really important.”

The current NBL model has significant room for development. With the NBL's regular season sitting at 28 games compared to the NBA's 82 games, Kestelman sees substantial opportunities to increase the number of games per season and, in turn, fan engagement.

“So stay tuned,” he quipped.

Global Ambitions

The NBL's international aspirations are bold.

"We want to take our game to the world, and bring the world here," Kestelman said.

Kestelman has worked hard over the past 15 years to bring NBA experiences to Australia. His relationship with NBA leadership, including Commissioner Adam Silver, has been gradual, particularly strengthened during COVID.

"Our aspiration is definitely to bring the NBA here to Australia," Kestelman said, acknowledging the rumours in the media surrounding NBA teams coming to Australia later in the year.

"It’s still a work in progress. We’re getting closer and closer. The game is something I’ve dreamt up over the last 15 years, and that’s not easy when you’ve got places around the world throwing tens of millions of dollars to bring games to their shores."

On his relationship with Adam Silver

As one of the most powerful sports people in the world, it’s no easy feat to become a confidant of Adam Silver, but it appears Kestelman has done just that, but it didn’t happen overnight.

"We wouldn’t have even had a whole who we are or what we do 10 years ago, so it’s been a slow burn," Kestelman revealed.

"I worked a lot first with the NBA Asian office, then I got to know (NBA Deputy Commissioner) Mark Tatum, and then slowly but surely, Adam Silver. Like a lot of sports people around the world, he and I connected during covid and post-covid … they love and respect what we are doing here in Australia."

Team Values and Commercial Sustainability

One of Kestelman's proudest achievements is the league's commercial credibility.

"I’m so proud of where the values of the teams are, that just shows the credibility not just in Australia but around the world. We have owners from all around the world now who either have bought, are looking at buying, or want to be involved," Kestelman said.

"And part of the reason is we are running a good commercial model,, more and more clubs are becoming sustainable, profitable, and growing.”

Building a Generational Fan Base

The long-term vision extends beyond immediate growth. Kestelman wants the NBL to become a summer sporting institution, comparable to the AFL's cultural significance. He's particularly excited about the young demographic attending matches — families, children, and young adults who represent Australia's basketball future.

"I would love for the NBL to be the AFL of the summer," he said, envisioning a tradition of generational fan loyalty where parents pass down team jerseys and loyalty.

Future Game Schedule

Looking ahead, Kestelman's dream is ambitious yet specific: games played every night of the week, creating a consistent and reliable entertainment experience for fans.

He said this approach was to build habit, predictability and deeper fan engagement.

About Larry Kestelman

In 2014, the NBL underwent a major transformation under new leadership, with Larry Kestelman, a prominent businessman and basketball enthusiast, acquiring a controlling stake in the league. Kestelman’s vision was to revitalise the NBL by investing in marketing, improving the game-day experience, and re-establishing the league as a premier professional basketball competition in Australia and New Zealand.

One of the key strategies for the NBL’s resurgence was focusing on creating a world-class product both on and off the court. This included improving player salaries, securing better broadcast deals, and enhancing fan engagement through social media and digital platforms. Kestelman also focused on bringing international talent into the league, raising the overall level of competition.

As a result, the NBL began to attract significant attention from international basketball fans. The league’s NBL Next Stars Program, launched in 2018, offered a pathway for top young prospects to play in the NBL before entering the NBA Draft. This program produced notable NBA players such as LaMelo Ball, who played for the Illawarra Hawks before becoming the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and Josh Giddey, who played for the Adelaide 36ers and was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021.