Stevenson provides expansion update

Thursday, November 23, 2023

"That idea of being able to have teams overseas, particularly around Asia, is really appealing."

NBL CEO David Stevenson has revealed the league could have an expansion team within the next two years.

Speaking on ABC’s Summer Grandstand with host Aaron Bryans, Stevenson provided an update on the expansion timeline, while also explaining the international market is still an option.

“Expansion both domestically as we grow beyond 10 teams but also that idea of being able to have teams overseas, particularly around Asia, is really appealing, so we’re doing our due diligence on that now,” Stevenson said.

“We won’t have any new teams in the coming season, or it’s unlikely at this stage, but I think that following season we’re in great conversations with a number of cities.

“We think that that’s a good way to expand out from 10 teams and capitalise on the momentum we’ve got currently.”

Darwin is high in contention off the back of a recent visit from NBL executives, along with the success of current NBL1 team, the Darwin Salties.

“Darwin has shown a great interest and willingness to look at an NBL team. They’ve got an NBL1 team there called the [Darwin] Salties, who have been a fantastic success,” Stevenson said.

“I spent a bit of time there with the Chief Minister and the Northern Territory Major Events company, and they were all very interested and we see a lot of benefit there.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Territory's Chief Minister meets with NBL bosses to inspect Darwin locations for a "potential expansion team".<a href="https://t.co/gr7qACk4uB">https://t.co/gr7qACk4uB</a></p>— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron4) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenCameron4/status/1722136298302116032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Other cities among conversations include Canberra, Gold Coast, and a second team in Sydney, which would create a local rival for the two-time defending champion Kings.

“In Canberra we’re having some conversations, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do there on the venue,” Stevenson said.

“Gold Coast is another one that we’re very interested in, particularly given the success of the Blitz this year – which sold twice as many tickets as any other Blitz. There’s a good initial venue there.

“At some point down the track as we look at it, another team in Sydney, given the strength of the Kings. We think a local rivalry there would be pretty strong.”

Round 9 of NBL24 begins on Thursday, November 30, when the New Zealand Breakers host the Adelaide 36ers. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo, and Sky Sport in New Zealand.