Agreement announced for Tasmania to host 10th NBL franchise

February 28, 2020

A Tasmanian franchise is set to join the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2021/22 season following a landmark agreement between the Tasmanian Government and the competition.

NBL Owner and Executive Chairman, Larry Kestelman, and Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein announced today that the league’s 10th team would be based in Tasmania.

Under the agreement, the Tasmanian Government will become the sponsor of the new team and undertake a significant redevelopment of the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) in Hobart, where the new team will play the majority of its home games.

It will also games in the north of the state each year.

Announcing the expansion, Kestelman stated “Tasmania is a proud state with a rich sporting heritage and deserves teams in national sporting leagues and we are delighted to be establishing our 10th team here.

“This will be Tasmania’s team and a team for all Tasmanians.

“We want basketball to be the number one sport in Tasmania and with an NBL team, we think we can achieve this.

Premier Gutwein added “we have been clear that any deal for our state to have an NBL team of its own would need to represent significant value for Tasmanians, and the final agreements should see not only an economic injection of $102 million but also the creation of over 1,000 jobs.”

The NBL has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent seasons with record attendances and broadcast audiences. Currently it has nine teams, with the South East Melbourne Phoenix the most recent team to join the competition.

It was the only major summer sporting league to increase average crowds this season (rising by 8%) while total attendances have also surged (rising by 21%).

Kestelman went on to say "the NBL is Australia’s fastest-growing sport and the best basketball league in the world outside of the NBA.

“Basketball is a global sport and an NBL team will put Tasmania not just on the national sporting stage but on the world sporting stage.

“An NBL team will also deliver important economic and tourism benefits for Tasmania and bring new jobs and investment to the state.”

The NBL has previously featured three different Tasmania-based franchises, all of which no longer operate: the Launceston Casino City Tigers (from 1980-1982), the Devonport Warriors (in 1983 and 1984) and the Hobart Devils (from 1983 to 1996).

19th February 2020 - NBL welcomes regular season attendance rise through 2019/20

4th February 2020 - Call to upgrade WIN Entertainment Centre after leaking roof halts NBL clash

21st October 2019 - Hobart Chargers to join NBL1 competition in 2020

9th October 2019 - NBL generates record viewing figures during first round of the season

4th October 2019 - Melbourne Arena ready for 2019/20 NBL season

27th September 2019 - Basketball court supplier partners with NBL to raise brand awareness

16th September 2019 - 5,000 seat Hobart arena unveiled as potential home for 10th NBL team

27th August 2019 - NBL’s Jeremy Loeliger moves from Chief Executive to Commissioner’s role

16th August 2019 - Larry Kestelman to head new NBL Tasmania Advisory Board

12th July 2019 - NBL announces pre-season Tasmanian tournament to test 10th NBL franchise potential

27th June 2019 - Derwent Entertainment Centre needs significant upgrading to host Tasmanian NBL team

25th June 2019 - NBL owner gets exclusive negotiation period for Derwent Entertainment Centre acquisition

23rd August 2018 - Tasmanian NBL consortium unhappy with $18 million Derwent Entertainment Centre valuation

7th February 2020 - AFL Taskforce report shows Tasmanian team viable and sustainable

23rd October 2019 - Concept revealed for stadium for Tasmanian AFL franchise

26th August 2019 - Tasmanian Government taskforce calls for AFL licence and new stadium

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