Lexi Webster
The National Basketball League (NBL) is considered the second-best basketball competition in the world by its advocates, behind only the NBA. The NBL has grown since property developer Larry Kestelman purchased a 51% stake in the league in 2013, with game attendance, TV viewership, website visitors and app downloads all increasing. The league has attracted record crowds, with a cumulative attendance of more than 1.1 million last season. The league has also attracted high-profile figures, including tennis player Nick Kyrgios and Team USA gold medallist Khris Middleton. The NBL has a strong focus on developing young talent, with a scheme in place to provide elite overseas players, mainly Americans, with a professional option immediately out of secondary school. The league has also had success in attracting back the best Australian players not in the NBA, with the marquee rule seeing the return of players such as Brad Newley and Andrew Bogut.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Established | 1978 as the National Invitation Basketball League (NIBL) |
| Renamed | National Basketball League (NBL) in 1980 |
| Inaugural season | 1979 |
| Seasons | Winter (April–September) until 1998; Summer (October–April) since 1998-99 |
| Game duration | 40 minutes with four 10-minute quarters (since 2009-10) |
| Number of games per season | 28 games (14 home and 14 away) |
| Attendance | Over 1.1 million last season |
| TV deal | 1-year extension valued at $20 million with Channel 10 and ESPN |
| Owners | Larry Kestelman (51%); Jared Novelly owns the Hawks |
| Teams | Melbourne United, Tasmania JackJumpers, Brisbane Bullets, Townsville Crocodiles (folded in 2016), South-East Melbourne Phoenix |
| Players | Brad Newley, David Andersen, Andrew Bogut |
| Scheme | Provides opportunities for young elite overseas players, especially Americans, to play professionally right out of secondary school |
| Exhibition games | NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series with New Orleans Pelicans in October 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
The NBL is the second-best basketball competition in the world
The National Basketball League (NBL) is Australia's premier basketball competition and is considered by its advocates to be the second-best basketball competition in the world, behind only the NBA. The NBL was established in 1978 as the National Invitation Basketball League (NIBL) and was renamed the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1980. The league plays a "modern" 40-minute game format with four 10-minute quarters, and each team plays 28 games during the regular season, 14 home and 14 away.
The NBL has grown significantly in recent years, with game attendance, TV viewership, website visitors, and app downloads all consistently increasing. The league has attracted record crowds, including a cumulative attendance of more than 1.1 million last season. This growth can be partly attributed to the league's ability to recruit the best Australian players not in the NBA, as well as young elite overseas players, through the marquee rule and the "Next Star" player scheme. The "Next Star" player scheme provides these players with a professional option immediately out of secondary school, offering a salary of at least A$100,000, as well as a car, apartment, and flights home during NBL breaks.
The NBL has also benefited from the involvement of high-profile figures, such as tennis player Nick Kyrgios and five-time NBA all-star John Wall, who have a stake in the South-East Melbourne Phoenix, and Team USA gold medallist Khris Middleton, who is in a group controlling the Brisbane Bullets. These investments have brought increased attention and credibility to the league.
In addition to its on-court success, the NBL has also made strides in its broadcasting deals. While television revenues remain lower than in other major Australian professional leagues, the NBL secured a one-year extension valued at around $20 million with Channel 10 and ESPN. The league has also collaborated with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to host preseason exhibition games, further enhancing its reputation and exposure.
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The league has attracted record crowds
The National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia has been attracting record crowds. The league was established in 1978 as the National Invitation Basketball League (NIBL) and was renamed the National Basketball League in 1980. The inaugural season took place in 1979, playing in the winter season (April to September) until 1998. Since 1999, the games have been played during the summer season (October to April).
The NBL has seen significant growth and success in recent years. After a period of struggle that saw several teams fold, property developer Larry Kestelman purchased a 51% portion of the league in 2013. Since then, the league has experienced a surge in game attendance, TV viewership, website traffic, and app downloads. Kestelman has stated his commitment to ensuring the financial sustainability of the league, vowing that "no NBL club will ever fold again" under his leadership.
The NBL has attracted over 1.1 million cumulative attendees in a season, and its advocates consider it the second-best basketball competition worldwide, only behind the NBA. The league has also benefited from the marquee rule, which has facilitated the return of top Australian players from Europe and the US, enhancing the league's talent pool.
Additionally, the NBL has implemented initiatives to attract elite overseas players, particularly Americans, by providing a professional pathway immediately after secondary school. The "Next Star" scheme offers players a salary of at least A$100,000, along with additional benefits such as a car, apartment, and flights home during breaks. These players are contracted directly by the NBL and then allocated to teams, providing an influx of young talent to the league.
The league's popularity has also led to collaborations with the NBA. In March 2025, it was announced that the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA would play two pre-season exhibition games in Melbourne, Australia, facing Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. These exhibitions showcase the growing global appeal of the NBL and its ability to attract international attention.
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The NBL has a de-merger from Basketball Australia
The National Basketball League (NBL) is a men's professional basketball league in Australasia, composed of ten teams: nine in Australia and one in New Zealand. It is the premier professional men's basketball league in Australia and New Zealand. The NBL was established as the National Invitation Basketball League (NIBL) in 1978 and commenced its first season in 1979.
In 2013, the NBL had a de-merger from Basketball Australia (BA). The newly-formed independent NBL took full control of the league and its brand after the split was officially ratified in Sydney. The de-merger process was carried out with the fan as the primary focus, aiming to reinvigorate the league and provide a platform for aspiring young basketballers in the country. The NBL renegotiated a TV deal with Network Ten, extending the agreement for two more years, resulting in more live games on free-to-air TV.
The de-merger marked a new era for professional basketball in Australia, with the NBL experiencing increased crowd attendance, TV viewership, website visitors, and app downloads. The league has also attracted record crowds, with a cumulative attendance of over 1.1 million last season. The NBL has introduced rules to enhance the league, such as the Special Restricted Player rule, which has increased interest in the sport and led to the signing of highly-rated players.
Despite the NBL's growth and success post-de-merger, there have been recent disputes regarding ownership. Jared Novelly, the soon-to-be US ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, has led NBL clubs in a dispute that could reshape the sport. Novelly has proposed a buyout of the NBL, citing grievances related to financial transparency and alleged conflicts of interest by league owners. The dispute has reached the international governing body, FIBA, in Switzerland, with allegations of violations of their code of conduct.
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The league has a low television revenue
The National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia has struggled with low television revenues, despite its success and popularity as the second-best basketball competition in the world after the NBA. The league has attracted record crowds, with a cumulative attendance of over 1.1 million last season. However, the television revenues generated from broadcast deals have not kept pace with the league's popularity.
In comparison to other major Australian professional leagues, such as the AFL and NRL, the NBL's broadcast deals are significantly lower. While these leagues benefit from billion-dollar broadcast deals, the NBL's recent deal with Channel 10 and ESPN was valued at around $20 million for a one-year extension. Much of this revenue is spent on producing the broadcasts in-house, leaving little profit to be distributed to the clubs.
The low television revenue has been a point of contention within the league, with club owners expressing frustration over the financial dynamics. This has led to a dispute between Jared Novelly, the soon-to-be US ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, and Larry Kestelman, who has a stake in the league. Novelly has proposed a buyout of the NBL, citing concerns over ambassador agreements, gambling revenue, and financial transparency. He has also alleged conflicts of interest and "suspected violations" of FIBA's code of conduct by Kestelman.
The financial challenges faced by the NBL have historically led to the folding of several teams, such as the Townsville Crocodiles in 2016. However, since Kestelman's purchase of a 51% portion of the league, game attendance, TV viewership, website visitors, and app downloads have been on a consistent upward trajectory. Despite the low television revenue, the NBL has shown growth and improvement, attracting high-profile figures such as tennis player Nick Kyrgios and NBA all-star John Wall, who have invested in the league.
To conclude, while the Australian NBL has faced challenges due to low television revenue, it has also demonstrated resilience and growth. The league has attracted record crowds and increased viewership, indicating a dedicated fan base. With ongoing efforts to improve financial transparency and stability, the NBL continues to strive for success and establish itself as a prominent basketball competition worldwide.
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The NBL has a 'Next Star' player scheme
The National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia is considered the second-best basketball competition in the world, behind only the NBA. The NBL has a Next Star player scheme, which is a unique player development program that has been running officially since the 2018-19 season. The scheme aims to market the league as a legitimate alternative to the college pathway for top young, NBA draft-eligible talent from across the globe.
The Next Star program is controlled by the NBL, not its teams, and the league independently contracts overseas players for development in Australia prior to entering the NBA draft. The players are not part of a team's roster or salary cap, and once a Next Star is selected, they are offered to all the teams. The teams can then pitch their development opportunities to the player, who ultimately decides which team they will join.
The Next Star program has been successful in producing NBA players, with eight players drafted to the NBA so far, three of whom were lottery picks. One notable example is Terrance Ferguson, who played for the Adelaide 36ers before being selected in the 2017 NBA Draft. He has since played over 200 games in the NBA and was named a G-League champion in 2022.
The program has also been successful in attracting young basketball talent to the NBL, with Dash Daniels, one of Australia's hottest basketball prospects, choosing the Next Stars program as his path to the NBA by signing with Melbourne United. The Next Star scheme has the potential to entice more homegrown NBA prospects in the future, adding to the league's talent pool and increasing its competitiveness on a global scale.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Basketball League, also known as the NBL, has grown in popularity since property developer Larry Kestelman purchased a 51% portion of the league in 2013. Game attendance, TV viewership, website visitors, and app downloads have all been on the rise. The league attracted a cumulative attendance of more than 1.1 million last season.
The NBL is considered by its advocates to be the second-best basketball competition in the world, after the NBA. The NBA has a higher profile and generates more revenue, with billion-dollar broadcast deals. The NBL, on the other hand, had a recent broadcast deal valued at around $20 million. The NBL has a marquee rule that allows its clubs to recruit the best Australian players not in the NBA, and it also provides a pathway for young elite overseas players, mainly Americans, to enter the professional basketball world immediately out of secondary school.
The NBL was established as the National Invitation Basketball League (NIBL) in 1978 and was renamed the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1980. Its inaugural season commenced in August 1979, playing in the winter season (April-September) until the 1998 season. The 1998-99 season was the first to be played during the summer season (October-April), which is the current format.
