No stopping Gold Coast team

The momentum behind an expansion team in the Gold Coast is reportedly heating up, after Executive Director, NBL Group, Larry Kestelman’s comments on Tuesday.

“We know people here want a team. I would love to see a team here. That’s what we are working towards,” Kestelman said via the Gold Coast Bulletin.

The growth and attention on the NBL continues to reach new heights, meaning so does the interest in being the potential 11th licensed team.

While cities and consortiums such as Canberra, Darwin and a second team in Sydney have been mentioned, the Gold Coast appears in pole position, with Kestleman hosting a closed presentation to Gold Coast City councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

“Whether it happens in this round or the next round, I won’t stop until there’s a team here on the Gold Coast,” he said.

While the planned expansion wouldn’t happen until NBL28 at the earliest, Kestelman explained, “the next 30 to 60 days are crucial” in all decisions, including a new venue.

According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, the City is currently working through a process to approve the $1 billion proposed Gold Coast Arena at Carey Park in Southport, which is a key element in Kestelman’s eyes.

Kestelman believes this team will bring “global exposure” to the region, which he compared to Miami in the United States, especially ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

“I’d say to the people of the Gold Coast, you are a growing city, you are all about entertainment,” he said.

“I think you need a venue that is modern, up to standards and allows for that growth. Your venues have served you well up until now. I think there is room to grow.”

In recent years, the Gold Coast has hosted the first-ever Ignite Cup Final and numerous editions of the competition's pre-season tournaments, the NBL Blitz.

Read the full story here >> Kestelman vows Gold Coast will get a National Basketball League team