Agreement announced for Tasmania to host 10th NBL franchise

A Tasmanian franchise is set to join the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2021/22 season following a landmark agreement between the Tasmanian Government and the competition.

NBL Owner and Executive Chairman, Larry Kestelman, and Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein announced today that the league’s 10th team would be based in Tasmania.

Under the agreement, the Tasmanian Government will become the sponsor of the new team and undertake a significant redevelopment of the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) in Hobart, where the new team will play the majority of its home games.

It will also games in the north of the state each year.

Announcing the expansion, Kestelman stated “Tasmania is a proud state with a rich sporting heritage and deserves teams in national sporting leagues and we are delighted to be establishing our 10th team here.

“This will be Tasmania’s team and a team for all Tasmanians.

“We want basketball to be the number one sport in Tasmania and with an NBL team, we think we can achieve this.

Premier Gutwein added “we have been clear that any deal for our state to have an NBL team of its own would need to represent significant value for Tasmanians, and the final agreements should see not only an economic injection of $102 million but also the creation of over 1,000 jobs.”

The NBL has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent seasons with record attendances and broadcast audiences. Currently it has nine teams, with the South East Melbourne Phoenix the most recent team to join the competition.

It was the only major summer sporting league to increase average crowds this season (rising by 8%) while total attendances have also surged (rising by 21%).

Kestelman went on to say "the NBL is Australia’s fastest-growing sport and the best basketball league in the world outside of the NBA.

“Basketball is a global sport and an NBL team will put Tasmania not just on the national sporting stage but on the world sporting stage.

“An NBL team will also deliver important economic and tourism benefits for Tasmania and bring new jobs and investment to the state.”

The NBL has previously featured three different Tasmania-based franchises, all of which no longer operate: the Launceston Casino City Tigers (from 1980-1982), the Devonport Warriors (in 1983 and 1984) and the Hobart Devils (from 1983 to 1996).