NBL boss Larry Kestelman has conceded Tasmania’s bid to be the 11th NBL team will “probably” be unsuccessful - at this stage, at least.
Kestelman stated the competition is keen to establish a Tasmanian side, but it may take years to achieve.
Former basketballer Justin Hickey is leading the charge on The Southern Huskies’ bid to be the newest NBL side, and Kestelman has praised his passion for the experiment.
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“It will probably not be for the following year but potentially for the year after,” Kestelman told SEN Breakfast.
“They’re certainly keen and we will give them 10 out of 10 for enthusiasm.
“I think we are working with them and we want to support them to see if there is a business case for it.
“We love our friends in Tassie and if we can make that happen in a way that builds the sport and makes it sustainable, then we will absolutely have a look at how we can do that.”
Kestelman also explained how the league has interest from all corners of the country in terms of the next NBL team.
“The league is growing, we don’t want to grow too quickly but we have interest all around the country from Tasmania through the top of the country,” he said.
“We have interest all over the place for expansion but we are going to be very careful and mindful and do it in a very measured way.”
The NBL announced earlier this year that an 11th NBL side will enter the league in the 2019/20 season.
Listen to Larry Kestelman’s chat with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast in the player below