CEO David Stevenson new teams who want to enter the NBL must have a venue capacity of 8000 people. Photo: Robbie Stephenson/AAP PHOTOS
The NBL is following the AFL in its hardline approach to expansion, insisting potential new clubs must meet venue requirements if they are to enter the league.
Canberra, the Gold Coast, Darwin and a second Sydney team have emerged as rumoured suitors for new licences as the league looks to expand following 63 sell-out crowds last season.
But the NBL Group chief executive David Stevenson says new teams who want to enter the league must have a venue that hosts about 8000 people.
The competition is looking to replicate the success of their newest team, the Tasmania JackJumpers, which has enjoyed capacity attendances and claimed the championship in just their third season in 2024.
But the JackJumpers’ My StateBank Arena only holds 4300 people, and the NBL is keen for that to be the smallest venue in the league.
“We’ve been really conscious about not expanding just for expansion’s sake. We want to make sure that when we do expand, it’s a strong city,” Stevenson told AAP.
The AFL has been embroiled in the addition of the Tasmania Devils as the league said they would only play in the competition if the Macquarie Point Stadium is built.
Although the Tasmanian parliament approved the $1.13 billion project in December, it had caused a significant community uproar, triggering a snap state election.
In the ACT, the Canberra Convention and Entertainment precinct is set to undergo a facelift, and is expected to hold a minimum of 7500 spectators, but Stevenson says the new venue must be built if Canberra’s NBL rebirth is to occur.
“All of the conversations we had with the (ACT) chief minister and the team are that the current venue just isn’t even enough for us to play,” Stevenson said.
“So unless that new venue was built, then we wouldn’t put in a new team.”
Ahead of the coming season, reports have emerged that some clubs are pushing for the NBL to pay for travel and flights like the NRL and AFL, but Stevenson played down their concerns.
“Having spent a lot of time in the AFL as well, there’s always a level of tension between some clubs in the league,” he said.
“On that particular issue, we’ve got a really strong point of view about how we support the clubs … We’ve got seven of the 10 clubs who have aligned on the approach.”
Australian Associated Press
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