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The NBL will host an NBA series in Melbourne this month (Photo by Morgan Hancock\/Getty Images for NBL)<\/p>\n
The competition that was once proudly local is now competing with the global basketball elite. The National Basketball League (NBL) is now expanding its role beyond being Australia’s top basketball product and becoming a prominent player in the NBA ecosystem and a genuine international force.<\/p>\n
In October, the league will take another significant step by hosting the NBA<\/a> in Australia for the first time. The New Orleans Pelicans are making a statement with their two-game pre-season series against Melbourne United and Southeast Melbourne Phoenix. Unlike other leagues outside of North America, the NBL can offer NBA-caliber matchups, talent pipelines, and global audience engagement, making it unique.<\/p>\n The NBL is clearly moving forward with its 26% increase in digital engagement and more than 1 million fans through the turnstiles last season. The Next Stars program<\/a> has rapidly become one of the NBA’s most reputable development pathways, bringing out elite talent such as LaMelo Ball<\/a>, Josh Giddey, and Alex Sarr.<\/p>\n Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels<\/a> are both capable of being top 10 draft picks in 2026. The league’s influence is expanding beyond the court, as partnerships spread across Europe, Asia, and North America, and global icons such as Carmelo Anthony and Kenny Smith invest in its next phase.<\/p>\n This transformation was aided by Nikola Milivojevic, the NBL’s Director and Board Member, who is responsible for overseeing global strategy, partnerships, and expansion. Milivojevic’s extensive experience as an international business leader across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the U.S. allowed him to lead the NBL from a potential domestic league into a purposeful global platform.<\/p>\n His influence has been evident in all the league’s most significant strategic achievements, including the development and global success of the Next Stars program, as well as securing notable NBA matchups and forging cross-continental alliances. Following the league’s majority acquisition of the WNBL, he is leading the charge in integrating the women’s game into the NBL’s vision, which is a significant step in reshaping Australia’s basketball landscape from the ground up.<\/p>\n RG recently spoke with NBL Director Nikola Milivojevic about the NBA x NBL pre-season series in Melbourne and the rising global status of the league.<\/p>\n Interview With NBL Director Nikola Milivojevic<\/p>\n \u00a0\u2013 The NBL has experienced consistent audience and digital growth, with over one million fans attending games last season. What do you see as the key drivers behind this surge in popularity?<\/p>\n \u2013 It\u2019s been the result of 10 years of building the NBL as an entertainment product, not just a sporting league. From the beginning, our focus was on creating a nonstop, family-friendly experience. When you attend a game, there isn\u2019t a quiet moment \u2014 it\u2019s a two-hour show with top basketball on the floor and constant entertainment off it. That approach has helped us turn kids into lifelong fans and driven steady growth.<\/p>\n We see ourselves as a content-driven business, which has boosted both digital engagement and broadcast reach. On the court, we\u2019ve attracted NBA-caliber players. This season, 22 have NBA experience, and another 14\u201315 have G League contracts. Combine that with an entertainment product that clubs have embraced, and momentum builds each year. For four straight seasons, we\u2019ve seen 30% broadcast growth. It\u2019s that mix of product quality, storytelling, and entertainment that has made the NBL a global brand.<\/p>\n \u2013 With the NBA pre-season games coming to Melbourne, how do you believe this series elevates the NBL\u2019s global credibility and brand?<\/p>\n \u2013 Hosting the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a> is the fulfillment of a long-term vision. Larry Kestelman has worked 15 years to get an NBA team here, and it\u2019s a huge moment for our league. Last week\u2019s EuroLeague games in Melbourne reached 282 million people with 75 million views, and now the NBA is here.<\/p>\n This partnership validates the NBL\u2019s credibility on the global stage. We know being on the other side of the world makes it harder to follow us, but aligning with the NBA helps bridge that gap. It shows we\u2019re not only a strong domestic competition but also part of the broader basketball ecosystem. This series builds global awareness and tells the story of the NBL in a way nothing else can.<\/p>\n \u2013 What is the long-term vision for the NBL\u2019s role within the global basketball ecosystem alongside the NBA, EuroLeague, and FIBA?<\/p>\n