The possibility of an NBL expansion team in Geelong has gained momentum, with league owner Larry Kestelman confirming the city is a strong candidate—provided it can secure a suitable venue.
However, much like we outlined in an article a number of years ago, How the Geelong Supercats could return to the NBL within 3 years, the missing piece isn’t just a stadium, but a real estate-backed development plan to make the project financially viable.
Kestelman recently acknowledged Geelong’s growing basketball scene, citing record participation numbers and the recent success of Geelong United. However, he made it clear that without an elite-level stadium, the city remains locked out of the NBL’s expansion plans.
“I think Geelong as a city deserves to have a venue,” Kestelman said. “What they have today is pretty average.”
He emphasized that any new facility would need a minimum capacity of 7,000 seats to be viable for an NBL team. While Geelong Arena is a potential location, its aging infrastructure—including asbestos contamination—poses significant challenges.
Kestelman also confirmed that in 2023, NBL representatives met with the City of Greater Geelong to discuss redeveloping the Arena into an NBL-ready facility. The plan included the addition of a housing component—the same approach that aligns directly with the Aussie Hoopla expansion outlined in 2021.
The real estate strategy we outlined then, noted how the NBL could expand by leveraging real estate investment, following the model used to establish the Tasmania JackJumpers. Instead of simply funding new teams, the league could secure government-backed stadium upgrades in exchange for land rights, allowing for profitable commercial and residential developments.
The JackJumpers’ entry into the league followed this exact blueprint. A deal between Kestelman and the Tasmanian government saw the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) upgraded for professional basketball, while Kestelman gained the right to develop surrounding land into a business precinct with hotels, offices, and apartments. This arrangement not only funded the team but also increased property values and created a long-term revenue stream.
The proposal for Geelong Arena’s redevelopment mirrors this approach. The NBL’s discussions with city officials included the idea of adding a real estate component, which could help offset stadium costs.
It’s known that Geelong’s city leaders recognise the economic potential of an indoor stadium expansion. Mayor Stretch Kontelj has highlighted the city’s growing reputation for hosting major events, stating that a modern indoor venue would provide a “significant economic boost.”
The council has made the project a priority and is currently reviewing bids for the future management of Geelong Arena. This includes a joint proposal from Geelong United and the Belgravia Group. The council is also exploring private-sector investment—another sign that the real estate-driven approach may play a key role in securing an NBL team.
Right now, basketball in Geelong is thriving, with Geelong United Basketball reaching record participation numbers of nearly 12,000 players. The city already has a WNBL team, but Geelong Arena’s 2,000-seat capacity severely limits its potential.
Kestelman believes the city could support an NBL team, comparing basketball’s summer appeal to the AFL’s winter dominance with the Geelong Cats.
“What the Cats do in the winter, I think we can do in the summer,” he said.
Geelong’s basketball history is rich, with the Geelong Supercats competing in the NBL until 1996. The fan base remains strong, and the city is well-positioned for an NBL return—if the stadium issue can be resolved.
The Path to an NBL Team in Geelong
Kestelman remains flexible on the location of a potential new venue, suggesting it could be built outside central Geelong to better serve the wider region. He also emphasized that an indoor arena wouldn’t be limited to basketball but could host concerts and other major events, further increasing its viability.
“We’d like to work together with government, council, and possibly even the Geelong Cats to find the right solution,” he said.
Federal Labor MPs Libby Coker and Richard Marles acknowledged the importance of investing in sports infrastructure but stopped short of committing funds to the project. However, Kestelman pointed to Tasmania as an example of how NBL expansion can drive community engagement.
“If you look at what happened in Tasmania, it got kids playing, it got them exercising,” he said.
Geelong has all the ingredients for an NBL team: a strong basketball culture, community support, and local government backing. Add a real estate element the NBL can also benefit from and a new stadium and an NBL team could become a reality sooner rather than later.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
