Latest news with #Kestelman
The Advertiser
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
NBL boss tips Patty Mills for Australian swansong
Larry Kestelman would be surprised if Patty Mills did not finish his career with an NBL swansong, as uncertainty surrounds the Boomers captain's future. The Australian NBA veteran has been a free agent since his Los Angeles Clippers suffered a 4-3 playoff series loss to Western Conference rivals the Denver Nuggets this month. Mills has not had a long-term NBA home since being traded by the Brooklyn Nets in July 2023, suiting up for four different teams in the subsequent two seasons. The Australian still has considerable pull as a locker-room figure for younger players, given his leadership qualities and status as a 2014 championship winner. But Mills' rapid-fire moves from Miami to Atlanta, to Utah and finally the Clippers have raised questions about his long-term future in the NBA. Mills was also the 25th oldest player in the NBA this season and will turn 37 before the new season tips off in October. It is likely Mills will wait to determine his future, having not signed on with the Utah Jazz until the weeks before the ongoing season began. But the first Australian to reach 1000 NBA games has previously indicated he would be open to returning to the NBL one day. He last featured in the league for the Melbourne Tigers, now Melbourne United, in 2011. Kestelman believed Mills would at some point follow fellow Aussies Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Aron Baynes in returning from NBA stints to play on home soil. "I would be surprised if Patty at some stage doesn't come and play here. I know that's his want and intent," Kestelman said. "When that is (that) needs to be on his terms, when he feels right about it. "I can't speak for whether it's this year or next, but our hope is that he absolutely comes and plays in front of his family and fans here in the NBL." Playing in the NBL would come with a hefty pay cut for Mills, whose deal for the 2024/25 season was worth $5.3 million. The salary cap for the 2025/26 NBL season sits at a little more than $2 million for an entire squad, but clubs are able to exceed that limit if they pay a luxury tax. That rule has permitted clubs to lure such star locals as Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks and Jack White back from overseas stints in recent times. The Adelaide 36ers, Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats are among the clubs on the lookout for starting guards for next season, with the last of those teams needing to fill the sizeable gap left by long-term import Bryce Cotton. Kestelman, who bought the league in 2015, has always wanted the NBL to be a place Australian superstars could finish their careers. "It was always part of the vision to have a bit of a circular economy where we can create a product in the NBL that some of the youngest stars can come, develop their skills and go to the NBA," he said. "And vice versa, especially for Australians, that there's a league that they can be proud of to come and play for the last few years of their career." Larry Kestelman would be surprised if Patty Mills did not finish his career with an NBL swansong, as uncertainty surrounds the Boomers captain's future. The Australian NBA veteran has been a free agent since his Los Angeles Clippers suffered a 4-3 playoff series loss to Western Conference rivals the Denver Nuggets this month. Mills has not had a long-term NBA home since being traded by the Brooklyn Nets in July 2023, suiting up for four different teams in the subsequent two seasons. The Australian still has considerable pull as a locker-room figure for younger players, given his leadership qualities and status as a 2014 championship winner. But Mills' rapid-fire moves from Miami to Atlanta, to Utah and finally the Clippers have raised questions about his long-term future in the NBA. Mills was also the 25th oldest player in the NBA this season and will turn 37 before the new season tips off in October. It is likely Mills will wait to determine his future, having not signed on with the Utah Jazz until the weeks before the ongoing season began. But the first Australian to reach 1000 NBA games has previously indicated he would be open to returning to the NBL one day. He last featured in the league for the Melbourne Tigers, now Melbourne United, in 2011. Kestelman believed Mills would at some point follow fellow Aussies Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Aron Baynes in returning from NBA stints to play on home soil. "I would be surprised if Patty at some stage doesn't come and play here. I know that's his want and intent," Kestelman said. "When that is (that) needs to be on his terms, when he feels right about it. "I can't speak for whether it's this year or next, but our hope is that he absolutely comes and plays in front of his family and fans here in the NBL." Playing in the NBL would come with a hefty pay cut for Mills, whose deal for the 2024/25 season was worth $5.3 million. The salary cap for the 2025/26 NBL season sits at a little more than $2 million for an entire squad, but clubs are able to exceed that limit if they pay a luxury tax. That rule has permitted clubs to lure such star locals as Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks and Jack White back from overseas stints in recent times. The Adelaide 36ers, Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats are among the clubs on the lookout for starting guards for next season, with the last of those teams needing to fill the sizeable gap left by long-term import Bryce Cotton. Kestelman, who bought the league in 2015, has always wanted the NBL to be a place Australian superstars could finish their careers. "It was always part of the vision to have a bit of a circular economy where we can create a product in the NBL that some of the youngest stars can come, develop their skills and go to the NBA," he said. "And vice versa, especially for Australians, that there's a league that they can be proud of to come and play for the last few years of their career." Larry Kestelman would be surprised if Patty Mills did not finish his career with an NBL swansong, as uncertainty surrounds the Boomers captain's future. The Australian NBA veteran has been a free agent since his Los Angeles Clippers suffered a 4-3 playoff series loss to Western Conference rivals the Denver Nuggets this month. Mills has not had a long-term NBA home since being traded by the Brooklyn Nets in July 2023, suiting up for four different teams in the subsequent two seasons. The Australian still has considerable pull as a locker-room figure for younger players, given his leadership qualities and status as a 2014 championship winner. But Mills' rapid-fire moves from Miami to Atlanta, to Utah and finally the Clippers have raised questions about his long-term future in the NBA. Mills was also the 25th oldest player in the NBA this season and will turn 37 before the new season tips off in October. It is likely Mills will wait to determine his future, having not signed on with the Utah Jazz until the weeks before the ongoing season began. But the first Australian to reach 1000 NBA games has previously indicated he would be open to returning to the NBL one day. He last featured in the league for the Melbourne Tigers, now Melbourne United, in 2011. Kestelman believed Mills would at some point follow fellow Aussies Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Aron Baynes in returning from NBA stints to play on home soil. "I would be surprised if Patty at some stage doesn't come and play here. I know that's his want and intent," Kestelman said. "When that is (that) needs to be on his terms, when he feels right about it. "I can't speak for whether it's this year or next, but our hope is that he absolutely comes and plays in front of his family and fans here in the NBL." Playing in the NBL would come with a hefty pay cut for Mills, whose deal for the 2024/25 season was worth $5.3 million. The salary cap for the 2025/26 NBL season sits at a little more than $2 million for an entire squad, but clubs are able to exceed that limit if they pay a luxury tax. That rule has permitted clubs to lure such star locals as Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks and Jack White back from overseas stints in recent times. The Adelaide 36ers, Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats are among the clubs on the lookout for starting guards for next season, with the last of those teams needing to fill the sizeable gap left by long-term import Bryce Cotton. Kestelman, who bought the league in 2015, has always wanted the NBL to be a place Australian superstars could finish their careers. "It was always part of the vision to have a bit of a circular economy where we can create a product in the NBL that some of the youngest stars can come, develop their skills and go to the NBA," he said. "And vice versa, especially for Australians, that there's a league that they can be proud of to come and play for the last few years of their career."
West Australian
12-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
NBL boss tips Patty Mills for Australian swansong
Larry Kestelman would be surprised if Patty Mills did not finish his career with an NBL swansong, as uncertainty surrounds the Boomers captain's future. The Australian NBA veteran has been a free agent since his Los Angeles Clippers suffered a 4-3 playoff series loss to Western Conference rivals the Denver Nuggets this month. Mills has not had a long-term NBA home since being traded by the Brooklyn Nets in July 2023, suiting up for four different teams in the subsequent two seasons. The Australian still has considerable pull as a locker-room figure for younger players, given his leadership qualities and status as a 2014 championship winner. But Mills' rapid-fire moves from Miami to Atlanta, to Utah and finally the Clippers have raised questions about his long-term future in the NBA. Mills was also the 25th oldest player in the NBA this season and will turn 37 before the new season tips off in October. It is likely Mills will wait to determine his future, having not signed on with the Utah Jazz until the weeks before the ongoing season began. But the first Australian to reach 1000 NBA games has previously indicated he would be open to returning to the NBL one day. He last featured in the league for the Melbourne Tigers, now Melbourne United, in 2011. Kestelman believed Mills would at some point follow fellow Aussies Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Aron Baynes in returning from NBA stints to play on home soil. "I would be surprised if Patty at some stage doesn't come and play here. I know that's his want and intent," Kestelman said. "When that is (that) needs to be on his terms, when he feels right about it. "I can't speak for whether it's this year or next, but our hope is that he absolutely comes and plays in front of his family and fans here in the NBL." Playing in the NBL would come with a hefty pay cut for Mills, whose deal for the 2024/25 season was worth $5.3 million. The salary cap for the 2025/26 NBL season sits at a little more than $2 million for an entire squad, but clubs are able to exceed that limit if they pay a luxury tax. That rule has permitted clubs to lure such star locals as Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks and Jack White back from overseas stints in recent times. The Adelaide 36ers, Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats are among the clubs on the lookout for starting guards for next season, with the last of those teams needing to fill the sizeable gap left by long-term import Bryce Cotton. Kestelman, who bought the league in 2015, has always wanted the NBL to be a place Australian superstars could finish their careers. "It was always part of the vision to have a bit of a circular economy where we can create a product in the NBL that some of the youngest stars can come, develop their skills and go to the NBA," he said. "And vice versa, especially for Australians, that there's a league that they can be proud of to come and play for the last few years of their career."
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
NBL boss tips Patty Mills for Australian swansong
Larry Kestelman would be surprised if Patty Mills did not finish his career with an NBL swansong, as uncertainty surrounds the Boomers captain's future. The Australian NBA veteran has been a free agent since his Los Angeles Clippers suffered a 4-3 playoff series loss to Western Conference rivals the Denver Nuggets this month. Mills has not had a long-term NBA home since being traded by the Brooklyn Nets in July 2023, suiting up for four different teams in the subsequent two seasons. The Australian still has considerable pull as a locker-room figure for younger players, given his leadership qualities and status as a 2014 championship winner. But Mills' rapid-fire moves from Miami to Atlanta, to Utah and finally the Clippers have raised questions about his long-term future in the NBA. Mills was also the 25th oldest player in the NBA this season and will turn 37 before the new season tips off in October. It is likely Mills will wait to determine his future, having not signed on with the Utah Jazz until the weeks before the ongoing season began. But the first Australian to reach 1000 NBA games has previously indicated he would be open to returning to the NBL one day. He last featured in the league for the Melbourne Tigers, now Melbourne United, in 2011. Kestelman believed Mills would at some point follow fellow Aussies Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Aron Baynes in returning from NBA stints to play on home soil. "I would be surprised if Patty at some stage doesn't come and play here. I know that's his want and intent," Kestelman said. "When that is (that) needs to be on his terms, when he feels right about it. "I can't speak for whether it's this year or next, but our hope is that he absolutely comes and plays in front of his family and fans here in the NBL." Playing in the NBL would come with a hefty pay cut for Mills, whose deal for the 2024/25 season was worth $5.3 million. The salary cap for the 2025/26 NBL season sits at a little more than $2 million for an entire squad, but clubs are able to exceed that limit if they pay a luxury tax. That rule has permitted clubs to lure such star locals as Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks and Jack White back from overseas stints in recent times. The Adelaide 36ers, Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats are among the clubs on the lookout for starting guards for next season, with the last of those teams needing to fill the sizeable gap left by long-term import Bryce Cotton. Kestelman, who bought the league in 2015, has always wanted the NBL to be a place Australian superstars could finish their careers. "It was always part of the vision to have a bit of a circular economy where we can create a product in the NBL that some of the youngest stars can come, develop their skills and go to the NBA," he said. "And vice versa, especially for Australians, that there's a league that they can be proud of to come and play for the last few years of their career."
The Advertiser
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
'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." 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." 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."
Perth Now
12-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
'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."
