McGuire backs “genius” Kestelman

High profile sports and media identity Eddie McGuire says he’s shocked by a decision from Illawarra Hawks’ owner Jared Novelly to push Larry Kestelman out of the NBL.

“Larry has literally turned the NBL into a powerhouse … Larry’s stewardship of the NBL should be the market case for all these other second and third-tier sports that are just dying on the vine in Australia,” McGuire said.

“I would have thought of all the sports competitions in Australia, the NBL would almost be last on the list of people complaining about it, how it is run and its future.

“He put in his own time, money and drive … Now we’ve got the NBA’s Pelicans coming to Australia, the competition is regarded as one of the best feeder competitions to the NBA in the world.”

Novelly reportedly sent all clubs an email with a proposal to buy Kestelman out for just $9 million in what’s been described by some media as a hostile takeover bid. The move comes despite the NBL achieving yet another record-breaking season.

McGuire says he holds Kestelman in the highest regard and his leadership sits up there with the AFL’s commission and rugby league’s Peter V'landys.

“That is the echelon I put Larry Kestelman in from watching him actually make it happen in basketball, so if somebody can run a competition better than Larry has I’d like to see it,” McGuire told Code Sports.

“Not that long ago the NBL was seen as the example of how to muck things up in a big way and basketball was completely dead.

“I remember when Larry stepped forward to take on the NBL most people thought this was one of the greatest follies we’ve seen … But the genius of him owning the competition and not having to put every decision through a committee, has single-handedly saved basketball in Australia.

“The NBL is in its best position since the glory days of the late ’80s and early ’90s, at which time it set fire to itself and cost itself probably 25 years of growth.

“I’d hate to see that happen again.”

Former Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks co-owner Dorry Kordahi believes it would be a disaster if clubs took back control like in past.

“Back in 2009, the league was weak — there was no clear direction, and team owners were largely looking after their own interests,” Kordahi said.

“I was vocal about the need for change, and it was clear the NBL couldn’t survive without a major reset. Fast forward to today, and it’s incredible to see how far the league has come under Larry Kestelman’s leadership. There’s now a clear vision, strong central governance, and a unified approach that’s lifted the professionalism and profile of the sport in Australia. The NBL is thriving, and it’s a credit to the direction and discipline that’s been brought to the game.”

McGuire’s company Jam TV is production partner of the NBL