From nbl.com.au ;
The Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League is set to return to Tasmania for the 2021-22 season following a landmark agreement between the Tasmanian Government and the NBL.
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.
The new Tasmanian team will play the majority of its home games at the DEC and also play games in the north of the state each year.
NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestelman said: “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.
“I want to thank the Tasmanian Government led by Premier Gutwein, the Glenorchy City Council and the people of Tasmania for their support and we now look forward to building a great team that all Tasmanians can be proud of.”
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said: “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. It was the only major summer sporting league to increase average crowds this season (8% up) and total attendances have also surged (21% up).
Kestelman said: “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 Hungry Jack’s NBL Finals presented by MG will tip off tonight when the Perth Wildcats play the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and SBS VICELAND from 9.30pm AEDT.
