Hoops

Tassie the next NBL team. Official

The DEC generates little for Tasmania as a GCC asset, and they are responsible for the maintenance.

If the state wants a decent-level indoor stadium it is going to have to either fund a new one or pay for a significant upgrade to the DEC.

This alternative delivers an upgraded facility but also brings an economic boost through the further redevelopment.

So I don't think it's a bad sell to the taxpayer, just a case of the govt choosing what its priorities are.

Fuck me dead, governments have been handing over tax pay land for years.

The Sydney entertainment centre was knocked down and given to private developers to build units, and a shit small entertainment hall. The original entertainment centre was 30 years old and had years left in it, went from around 12000 to 2500 capacity It made the owners of Qudos Bank Arena happy as now they have got the only decent centre in Sydney, also built on government land. Packers crown casino is on the best piece of real estate in Sydney, also free government land. The new stadium at parramatta is the same and there are others in all states.

I’m not saying it’s the right or wrong way to do business but it’s been happening for decades.

Hopefully the state government doesn't muck this up,they have several upgrade versions to look at including leaving it at the current 5400 seat capacity and 7000 including standing room with some smaller changes or spending a higher amount to upgrade it to a 10000 all seater.These options are all been looked at and I believe they should get it right the first time by upgrading it to the 10000 all seater version,this will help attract some of the bigger artists that don't currently come to tassie.I noticed the artists impressions released a week or so ago only showed half the seating currently in the stadium,which was a little silly,just imagine what the stadium would like at double its current capacity,please get it right.

Why is the state government stuffing around so much when they hand money over to afl at will. It’s time Tasmania, stop stuffing around.

If you’re a local business, how the team connects with the public/market is what will determine whether they clean be confident enough to put money in as a sponsor. That’s identified in some way by people voting with their feet. Ticket revenue isn’t really the point.

I don’t think “LK owns it s’all good” is a sustainable model

https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-releases-first-images-of-its-proposed-derwent-entertainment-centre-refurbishment/news-story/529818fd3095fce58212a955f32275dc

This looks smaller than "5-7,000" It looks half that!

Realistically they need to make it 6,500, so that if they consistently get 4,500 it doesn't look too empty, but can take a sustainable 6,500 should they manage that kind of crowd.

If they can't achieve 4,500 on average, then they aren't going to be capable of sustaining an NBL side.

"The last thing on his mind won't be giving an already wealthy man a $25mill handout."

Except that's EXACTLY how it works.

A guy with a few million, a lot of hot-air, and idea to raise money selling tee-shirts, comes begging for money, the Government tells him to piss off. They're a dime a dozen.

A guys worth almost a Billion, with a history of success, who just so happens to own the league, comes along and proposes to sink squillions of his own dough into the real-estate and redevelopment, THEN the govt sits up and pays attention.
Obviously LK will squeeze every cent he can from the govt, that's how it works.

Tassie investors probably took one look at his arms race salary rules and said hell no.

Think Wellington is a better option for team 10.
Taste seems like a long term project.

LK you've done it again!

Nice to see things moving ahead.

With LK's backing the team should at least have solid beginnings. Brisbane has shown it isn't easy, and twill be interesting to see how SEM go next season, but hopefully with a good start they too can be competitive. (Brisbane made finals in their 3rd season back, so not bad.)

Realistically a team needs to be able to kick off, with Coach and GM in place and maybe a signing or two, before the end of the previous season.
But by the sounds of it, there will be substantial development of the DEC precinct, so I guess depends on whether they want to take to the court before that is completed?

^^^[
I doubt it probably more likely 21/22. Lot of work to set up team, starting with modernising the stadium to senior management positions, coaches, doctors, physios etc.

Yes LK is one smooth operator, has great foresight and certainly comes as humble. Great roads ahead for the nbl.

I’d expect the Blitz to be in Tassie this year

will not make the finals this year, to state the obvious it has been a learning experience

He said he was beating nba drafted players, one on one and three on three, if he was a chance of summer league, nba Adelaide would’ve had a nice buy out, that does seem suss. He’s full of it imo.

""Kestelman's grand vision of the completed sporting precinct will include a refurbished DEC, at least a five-court multisport facility and high performance centre."

Well that part sounds great.


"He believes it could all lead to basketball becoming the most popular sport in the state.
"A big part of this is to actually make basketball the number one sport in Tasmania."

That part sound delusional, but I guess more realistically he i the master of generating positive press.

"if we do end up putting an NBL team there"

That sounds less than 100% commitment, but hopefully he's just being coy. Hard to imagine he'd be spending the money without that being a hard goal.

Froling playing last 4 games for huskies. Telling everyone he’s much better player now and beat players that got drafted, said didn’t play summer league due to some contract issues, sounds a bit suss. Interview on huskies face book page.

Devils2.0

and they will hang around for years despite everyone being sick of their endless dribbling after just a couple of months

"Who cares it's already been done idiot"

Is it School Holidays Already??

"You do know the Southern Huskies spilt there games betwwen HBT and LTN?"

ROFL

Yes, do you understand that the NZNBL is not the NBL???

The only thing I would say is they should not overthink it too much.

Location-Name wise, it depends on what you're aiming for.
Having a team to represent ALL of Tasmania is a nice idea, but is it feasible?
Would splitting games between Hobart & Launceston even work, or would it be a logistical nightmare? Is there even a NBL-level venue up north??

If the team ends up being effectively based in Hobart, I still think they could brand themselves as "Tasmanian", and at least keep the door open to Northern support and increased sponsorship and govt funding.

One thing for sure though, don't brand yourself as Southern, then enter a team called the Hobart Huskies, and then claim to represent all of Tasmania.

As for the basic team name, it doesn't really matter all that much.
The most successful team in the League is called the "Wildcats."
It was originally simply an alliteration on "Westate". Plus there are no actual wild cats in Australia, other than feralised domestic cats that we are actively trying to eradicate.
The only thing I would say is they should not overthink it too much.
Having to explain some tenuous link to the use of Huskies in Antarctica, was a bit of a stretch, especially after the last Huskies were all euthanised.

Devils are certainly iconic, but they probably want to ensure unfettered access to all the trademark and merchandising opportunities.

"Rest assured I know you don't know what's going on. Very few do in fact.
However there are a few that do. Nuff said"

ROFL

What's kinda sad is that I think the anonytroll meant for that comment to be taken seriously

Has to be Devils.

Each time I read, "we say, they say", posts I can't help but think of a very old Mills Brothers' song, "I Heard". Avail on Spotify. Have a listen!

Better still just found vision on utube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtqpyMvI3D4.

Should honestly make a thread, just for that. Applies to all subjects.

"This is one of my favourites of all time! Kestelman is a property developer!"

Yes, we know this, what's your point?

I highly doubt he's that desperate for opportunities that he would need to go around deceiving people,obtaining access to land only be feigning interest in the NBL.

Especially when it comes to Tasmania. They have plenty of land, just not enough people wanting to build things.

"In February last year the Liberals pledged $10 million to design, plan and construct a multisports indoor centre in Glenorchy"

Notwithstanding that Political Pledges aren't worth shit, even in Tasmania, $10M would barely get you a shed.
But either way, so what?

Whether or not they come through on their promise, and whether or not its to renovate the DEC, or build a whole new stadium, simple fact is that even with guvment help Hickey was never going to get it done, whereas LK can. End of story.

Anon 951, you are re writing history that leaves out btas, the 'clash with McCoy ' is btas

Anon 951, you are re writing history that leaves out btas, the 'clash with McCoy ' is btas

Dont think the demise of the Chargers was about someone having a go at btas, they were active participants

The Tasmanians were playing checkers while LK was playing chess.

Thanks for the reply anon, this story intrigues me immensely as I've wanted a basketball team back down there for 20 years and I truly think that Tasmania deserves a national team (outside of cricket) and think NBL should take the gamble.

As for Southern Huskies, really fascinated where they fit it I all of this

I'm a bit concerned about another regional team coming in (potentially) given the uncertain nature of Cairns and Illawarra and the shift in dominance to the clubs playing in bigger markets.

Are there enough fans to really get behind a Tassie side and stick with them if they're not winning games.

Will they be able to attract sponsors and key players and be marketable enough?

I'm hoping YES, and would love to see this happen to Hobart, but regional teams do have a history of really battling hard to survive.

Is LK planning on knocking the DEC down and rebuilding?

Could he build a 10k capacity stadium?

Could Goulding go home to play for a Tasmanian team with him being Kestleman's golden boy?

LK seems to keep plowing $$& into the NBL. I wonder how much he’s losing taking into account any tax write offs etc.

Creating a development alongside DEC if that works in favour of LK property developer wise AND hep bring an NBL team in then that’s a good result.

If this news come true it will be an interesting step, how’s the search for bullets ownership going?

Along with some of the big next star gets, things are really on the up for the NBL.

"the DEC it is an old facility, not a dump."

Then why did Hickey plan to spend $90M rejuvenating the place??

"They still bring Elton John there!"

My bad, clearly I misunderstood the benchmark for an NBL venue.

"The Huskies put in a bid for the DEC (only).
The LK interest in the WHOLE precinct of Wilkinson's Point PLUS the DEC"

Ah, you've rumbled to LK's secret. He only bought the league because he wants to be a property developer.

"Hickey could end up losing what was his initial concept."

Yes, clearly he is the only person to ever think of basing an NBL team in Hobart.

Purchasing the DEC has always made sense.
By all accounts its a dump that is way below the standard required for NBL. So why would you spend money renovating something you don't own and can't profit from.

The only real issue was that the Huskies wanted it cheap.
Of course the fanboys will deny that, but I guess the proof will be if LK pulls it off.

Checkmate LK.

for all the chargers and huskies tried to do to enter the NBL, it will end up being a new, different entity

Great news which ever way you look at it. I don’t like to get to excited but LK has put basketball on the map Australia wide.

I wish I could post a picture of my David Close Hobart Tassie Devils jersey on here.

LK does property development too so great to incorporate basketball and presumably the building of a hotel/apartments too.

Rumour been around for a while but I believe it’s true. Where this leaves the huskies who knows, does LK bring his own people in or deal with Hickey. Bartlett could be LK man.

who's Tassie first player signing?

I wonder how long it will take before we see Canberra and Wellington.