At the start of the year, we outlined a plan not only to see an NBL team return to Tasmania but a plan to expand the NBL to include franchises in areas like Canberra, Newcastle and Geelong.

The concept involved replicating the model which allowed the Tasmania JackJumpers to enter the league.

It’s a model which isn’t new and has proven success, it’s, of course, the same model McDonald’s has utilised since 1956 to expand their business globally… real estate.

The concept of the NBL purchasing stadiums and generating income via the land the stadium is one which would greatly reduce the costs of an NBL franchise. Venue costs would equate for the largest expense for most teams outside of player personnel so this would allow teams who didn’t have to pay for a stadium being something that could exist in many cities outside of the state capitals.

The Tasmania JackJumpers exist because of an agreement between Larry Kestleman and the Tasmanian government which allowed him to purchase the land surrounding the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) in return for the government upgrading the DEC so it’s capable of supporting an NBL franchise.

This move will allow Kestelman to develop a business precinct which will include hotels, commercial businesses and apartments all surrounding the stadium and will likely earn him a nice penny for doing so.

Now, this isn’t a case of the NBL “buying a stadium” for an NBL team, but it’s as close as it gets. It was the original plan until this “trade” between Kestleman and the government was an idea.

If the NBL focused on identifying areas where it could purchase a stadium or land around a stadium, where they could then set up an NBL team this would increase the property value of that area by doing so and make the league a nifty profit. This method could easily see the league grow from the current 10 NBL teams to 12 to 16 teams.

And the first opportunity for that to happen seems to be Geelong.

Talks have increased around the development of an indoor sports stadium for the Greater Geelong region.

A business case has already commenced on the back of $50,000 in funding being provided by the City of Greater Geelong (COGG) to build a stadium capable of hosting NBL, WNBL and Suncorp Super Netball games in Grovedale (a 12-minute drive to the centre of the city).

While the current plan is for a stadium to be built under funding from the government behind united support from Basketball Victoria and Netball Victoria why wouldn’t the NBL investigate purchasing the land, building their own stadium, increasing the property value in the process and bringing an eleventh team to the league?

Cal Bruton, James Crawford, Shane Heal, John Dorge, Bobby Locke, Simon Kerle, Joey Wright helped create a rabid basketball fan base in Geelong that still exists there today.

It could be time to follow Ray Kroc’s blueprint and return NBL basketball to Geelong through some shrewd property investment.

Now when it comes to that idea… I’m Lovin’ It!