'Haters will hate': NBL unfazed as court date looms
Larry Kestelman has no concerns the NSW Supreme Court will take issue with the NBL's financial operations, labelling the Illawarra Hawks boss who lodged the matter a "hater".
The long-running dispute between Jared Novelly and NBL owner Kestelman will be heard for the first time in the Supreme Court this Friday as the Hawks owner seeks documents relating to the NBL's finances.
Novelly's concerns relate to a perceived lack of transparency from the NBL, and whether Kestelman's business portfolio has presented conflicts of interest in his ownership of the league.
In addition to the Supreme Court proceedings, Basketball Australia is looking into the matter after Novelly's request for a FIBA investigation was deferred by the sport's global body.
Kestelman was unperturbed with the saga, addressing it in the press for the first time.
"I have no concerns. We've always done the right thing to grow the league," said Dodo co-founder Kestelman, who bought the NBL in 2015.
"You'll have people that will want to ask questions and that's OK, that's fine by me. I'd prefer maybe they were asked in a different way, but we have no worries about where NBL is at.
"You'll have haters that will hate, and you've got us that will want to grow the product."
Amid the stoush with Novelly, Kestelman has in recent weeks sold out of the Brisbane Bullets - the last of three NBL clubs in which he held equity.
He has also reneged on a controversial business arrangement that would have required the NBL's 10 clubs to book travel through a company he co-owns and that was founded by one of the league's referees.
But Novelly and his company Crest Sports and Entertainment are understood to be concerned with other business arrangements as well.
Under Kestelman's ownership, the NBL has engaged in partnerships with Reebok, in which Kestelman owns equity, and First Ever, a clothing company founded by Kestelman's son that used to hold NBL merchandising rights.
Novelly also wants clarity about how gambling revenue is being redistributed among the league's clubs, and sent a letter to the teams last week urging owners to stand behind him.
The son of an American oil tycoon who will soon become US ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Novelly is understood to be confident that request is being seriously considered.
Kestelman said on Monday he felt he had the support of the clubs as he visited Sydney to announce European giants KK Partizan and Panathinaikos would play matches in Australia this September.
The Serbian and Greek teams will face the NBL's Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers as part of the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament, which will be held ahead of the 2025/26 NBL season
Kestelman said good news was his focus, not the legal stoush.
"We'll deal with the off-court shenanigans separately," he said.
"This week is about positivity. You look at where the NBL has come from over the last 10 years. By far the majority of people are on the positive side. Clubs are behind us.
"As much as I want to stand here and tell the truth and defend myself, truth will prevail. Today is a celebration of NBL and the games we're celebrating here with these two massive clubs.
"Quite frankly, I won't give the air to Jared or anyone else to suck out of this."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
an hour ago
- AU Financial Review
Billionaire bust-up spells trouble for decades old mining empire
About of geological challenges at Queensland's Ironbark coal mine won't help a sale process that was already struggling to find a buyer, but the majority owner of the mine, AMCI, has bigger problems right now. For close to 40 years, AMCI's global mining and commodity trading empire was built on mutual trust and consensus decisions between its founding fathers, German-born American billionaires Hans Mende and Fritz Kundrun. But trust between the two octogenarians has been lost, and consensus between the pair is increasingly rare.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Tupou set to fire up and tame the Lions, say Wallabies
In a chilling warning to the British and Irish Lions, Wallabies prop Angus Bell is predicting front-row "freak" Taniela Tupou to emerge from his slumber and wreak havoc during the looming showpiece series. Tupou's fluctuating form, even by his own admission, has been one of the major discussion points during the Super Rugby Pacific season. The million-dollar behemoth made the startling confession last month that at times he feels like he's forgotten how to play the game, so low on confidence Tupou has been in 2025. But Bell, his NSW Waratahs and Wallabies teammate and front-row partner, believes the sleeping giant is ready to roar against the Lions and says "of course" Tupou should be named in Joe Schmidt's squad next week. "We know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we're going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and the squad," Bell said. "We know how important he is and what he can do when he's in his career-best form. "He's working really hard at NSW and he's working really hard at camps to get himself there, and we believe in Taniela - he's a mate, he's a freak of nature and we all know that. "So, look, he's happy and he's looking forward to the Tests and he's as excited as everyone else in Australian rugby. It's a pretty cool time and 'Nela' will be awesome this year, I reckon." The scrum and set piece have traditionally been a huge strength of the Lions, but Australia's front-row depth is fast emerging as a weapon for the Wallabies too. Bell and Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa were both named in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the season, while Tupou at his destructive best and veteran James Slipper, now Australia's most-capped player ever, shape as a formidable threat to the Lions. "It's good for Joe because he's got a lot of selection headaches, which is awesome for Australian rugby," Bell said. "It's now become a real strength of Australia that not every position is locked down, so everyone's just got to keep fighting for positions, and as a squad if we do that ... when the squad gets announced, it will put Australia in good stead against the Lions." The Wallabies are, however, also bracing for a different style of play from the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales than the typically dour northern hemisphere brand of yesteryear. "They'll definitely play an expansive game," Bell said. "I feel like European rugby's come a long way in that sense. "They used to be very heavily set-piece orientated. Now they're moving the ball just like New Zealand would. "So, look, I feel like they're a similar team to what we play down here in the southern hemisphere and they'll be extremely challenging. "We know the stars they have in their team." Schmidt plans to name a squad of up to 40 players for the Wallabies' first Test of the year - against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 - once the last Australian team standing is eliminated from the Super Rugby Pacific finals. The ACT Brumbies face the table-topping Chiefs in the semi-finals in Hamilton on Saturday, meaning a squad could be announced as early as Sunday or Monday. The first Test is in Brisbane on July 19.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Least curious and least informed': what is AUKUS and why does it matter?
A US review of the contentious AUKUS deal has revived public debate in Australia about how our nation got involved and what we're expected to get out of it - at what cost. AUKUS is a three-nation security pact between Australia, the US and the UK, brokered in 2021 when Scott Morrison was prime minister. Mr Morrison controversially dumped a deal with France to supply diesel-powered submarines in favour of the partnership which is designed to deliver nuclear-powered submarines instead. Pulling out of that deal ultimately cost Australian taxpayers about $3.4 billion and strained diplomatic relations with France. AUKUS is widely seen as response to China's strategic moves and growing influence in the Pacific. Under the partnership, Australia is set to acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. But the US is lagging in production of the boats, and the American president can sink the deal if his navy's capabilities are at risk, which is why the review flagged by the Pentagon has some people worried. It's estimated AUKUS will cost Australia about $368 billion and ultimately deliver at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, some of which would come from the US. In February, Australia made the first of six $800 million payments to the US under the deal. The UK recently completed a review of its involvement in AUKUS review and reiterated its support. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US and have warned the deal might jeopardise the US navy's capabilities. The US is also pressuring Australia to raise its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, while President Donald Trump wants to double tariffs on imported steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull took to social media on June 12 to declare America's AUKUS review was a "wake up call". "But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review. Our parliament to date has been the least curious and least informed," he wrote on X. "Time to wake up?" Former South Australian independent senator and transparency warrior Rex Patrick said it was time to "pull the plug" on AUKUS. "The program is an unaffordable, sovereign sapping and highly risky defence acquisition - a huge blunder of [Scott Morrison], embraced by [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese]," he wrote, also on X. "Trump will likely demand more $ billions, or else exit. We should pull the plug." Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, played down the US review, saying it was "natural" the Trump administration would want to re-examine the partnership, which was forged under the leadership of former president Joe Biden. A US review of the contentious AUKUS deal has revived public debate in Australia about how our nation got involved and what we're expected to get out of it - at what cost. AUKUS is a three-nation security pact between Australia, the US and the UK, brokered in 2021 when Scott Morrison was prime minister. Mr Morrison controversially dumped a deal with France to supply diesel-powered submarines in favour of the partnership which is designed to deliver nuclear-powered submarines instead. Pulling out of that deal ultimately cost Australian taxpayers about $3.4 billion and strained diplomatic relations with France. AUKUS is widely seen as response to China's strategic moves and growing influence in the Pacific. Under the partnership, Australia is set to acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. But the US is lagging in production of the boats, and the American president can sink the deal if his navy's capabilities are at risk, which is why the review flagged by the Pentagon has some people worried. It's estimated AUKUS will cost Australia about $368 billion and ultimately deliver at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, some of which would come from the US. In February, Australia made the first of six $800 million payments to the US under the deal. The UK recently completed a review of its involvement in AUKUS review and reiterated its support. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US and have warned the deal might jeopardise the US navy's capabilities. The US is also pressuring Australia to raise its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, while President Donald Trump wants to double tariffs on imported steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull took to social media on June 12 to declare America's AUKUS review was a "wake up call". "But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review. Our parliament to date has been the least curious and least informed," he wrote on X. "Time to wake up?" Former South Australian independent senator and transparency warrior Rex Patrick said it was time to "pull the plug" on AUKUS. "The program is an unaffordable, sovereign sapping and highly risky defence acquisition - a huge blunder of [Scott Morrison], embraced by [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese]," he wrote, also on X. "Trump will likely demand more $ billions, or else exit. We should pull the plug." Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, played down the US review, saying it was "natural" the Trump administration would want to re-examine the partnership, which was forged under the leadership of former president Joe Biden. A US review of the contentious AUKUS deal has revived public debate in Australia about how our nation got involved and what we're expected to get out of it - at what cost. AUKUS is a three-nation security pact between Australia, the US and the UK, brokered in 2021 when Scott Morrison was prime minister. Mr Morrison controversially dumped a deal with France to supply diesel-powered submarines in favour of the partnership which is designed to deliver nuclear-powered submarines instead. Pulling out of that deal ultimately cost Australian taxpayers about $3.4 billion and strained diplomatic relations with France. AUKUS is widely seen as response to China's strategic moves and growing influence in the Pacific. Under the partnership, Australia is set to acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. But the US is lagging in production of the boats, and the American president can sink the deal if his navy's capabilities are at risk, which is why the review flagged by the Pentagon has some people worried. It's estimated AUKUS will cost Australia about $368 billion and ultimately deliver at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, some of which would come from the US. In February, Australia made the first of six $800 million payments to the US under the deal. The UK recently completed a review of its involvement in AUKUS review and reiterated its support. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US and have warned the deal might jeopardise the US navy's capabilities. The US is also pressuring Australia to raise its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, while President Donald Trump wants to double tariffs on imported steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull took to social media on June 12 to declare America's AUKUS review was a "wake up call". "But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review. Our parliament to date has been the least curious and least informed," he wrote on X. "Time to wake up?" Former South Australian independent senator and transparency warrior Rex Patrick said it was time to "pull the plug" on AUKUS. "The program is an unaffordable, sovereign sapping and highly risky defence acquisition - a huge blunder of [Scott Morrison], embraced by [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese]," he wrote, also on X. "Trump will likely demand more $ billions, or else exit. We should pull the plug." Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, played down the US review, saying it was "natural" the Trump administration would want to re-examine the partnership, which was forged under the leadership of former president Joe Biden. A US review of the contentious AUKUS deal has revived public debate in Australia about how our nation got involved and what we're expected to get out of it - at what cost. AUKUS is a three-nation security pact between Australia, the US and the UK, brokered in 2021 when Scott Morrison was prime minister. Mr Morrison controversially dumped a deal with France to supply diesel-powered submarines in favour of the partnership which is designed to deliver nuclear-powered submarines instead. Pulling out of that deal ultimately cost Australian taxpayers about $3.4 billion and strained diplomatic relations with France. AUKUS is widely seen as response to China's strategic moves and growing influence in the Pacific. Under the partnership, Australia is set to acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. But the US is lagging in production of the boats, and the American president can sink the deal if his navy's capabilities are at risk, which is why the review flagged by the Pentagon has some people worried. It's estimated AUKUS will cost Australia about $368 billion and ultimately deliver at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, some of which would come from the US. In February, Australia made the first of six $800 million payments to the US under the deal. The UK recently completed a review of its involvement in AUKUS review and reiterated its support. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US and have warned the deal might jeopardise the US navy's capabilities. The US is also pressuring Australia to raise its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, while President Donald Trump wants to double tariffs on imported steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull took to social media on June 12 to declare America's AUKUS review was a "wake up call". "But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review. Our parliament to date has been the least curious and least informed," he wrote on X. "Time to wake up?" Former South Australian independent senator and transparency warrior Rex Patrick said it was time to "pull the plug" on AUKUS. "The program is an unaffordable, sovereign sapping and highly risky defence acquisition - a huge blunder of [Scott Morrison], embraced by [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese]," he wrote, also on X. "Trump will likely demand more $ billions, or else exit. We should pull the plug." Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, played down the US review, saying it was "natural" the Trump administration would want to re-examine the partnership, which was forged under the leadership of former president Joe Biden.
