NBL: Becoming Summer’s No.1

By NBL Media

The NBL wants to become Australia’s top summer sport, according to league boss Larry Kestelman.

The NBL has seen rapid growth in TV audiences, attendances, and media exposure, while becoming a strong pathway to the NBA. After two interrupted seasons, the competition moves back into its traditional place on the calendar - October through to March.

As the league’s popularity continues to swell, Kestelman believes basketball can overtake cricket and soccer in Australia because of its many advantages and the game’s appeal to young audiences and families.

“I’ve always wanted to be the No. 1 summer sport, which was my aim when I first took over the league and we won’t stop there,” Kestelman told Newscorp.

“ … cricket is an all-day game or five hours, and the A League is a great product, but you are talking about something that is hard to compare to the English Premier League.

“I think the quality of the (A League) product can’t be in the same category as the basketball in this country with where the NBL stands as the second-best league behind the NBA. That is no disrespect to them (football) — that is just factual … to have the second-best basketball product in the world is pretty special."

Kestelman added global growth is also on the NBL’s agenda.

“We want the eyes of the world on the NBL, and for that to happen we’ll need global partners who understand the market better than I do,” he said.

Click here for the full story: NBL's Summer Slam