Kestelman confirms Simmons' ownership interest

Monday, November 4, 2024

"We’ve had early conversations with his (Ben’s) representatives and there is interest from other players as well."

NBL owner Larry Kestelman has confirmed he’s had discussions with Ben Simmons, as well as former Next Star and current Chicago Bull Josh Giddey around ownership in an Australian club.

“We’re chatting to a number of current and past NBA players and I think the confidence in the league, the professionalism and where we are going with the league is definitely getting a lot of traction globally,” Kestelman said via Newscorp's Crosscourt column.

“I think they (the players) have been sitting on the sidelines, standing and observing and listening to people on what is happening in the NBL. We’ve had early conversations with his (Ben’s) representatives and there is interest from other players as well.”

With numerous current and former Australian players having partial ownership in NBL clubs, Kestelman pointed to the success of Andrew Bogut in his post playing career role at the Sydney Kings.

Bogut signed with the Sydney Kings back in 2018, going on to win an MVP and Best Defensive Player award, and led the Kings to the 2020 Grand Final.

Not only did this play lead him back into the NBA with the Golden State Warriors, but it also included partial ownership in the club. Now retired, he acts as an important in the Kings’ basketball decision-making.

“We want the Andrew Bogut story — we want someone to come and play or be involved as a part-owner,” he said.

With more and more NBA connections made each season, through 500-game veteran Monztrel Harrell extending his contract or the continued success of the Next Star program, could we see Simmons or Giddey end their careers in Australia as Bogut did?

Read the full story here > Crosscourt: Latest NBL news, likes and dislikes out of Round 7 of the 2024-25 season