The conversation around NBL expansion has intensified in recent years, with the league publicly confirming discussions with potential markets such as Canberra, the Gold Coast, and Darwin.

However, one city that continues to quietly build momentum as a realistic candidate for a future franchise is Newcastle. While it may not always dominate the expansion headlines, the pieces required for an NBL return are slowly aligning, and according to former owner of the Illawarra Hawks, Dorry Kordahi, the push for a Newcastle team is very real.

Speaking in an interview with Dan Boyce on the Aussie Hoopla podcast, Kordahi openly confirmed his ambition to re-enter the league.

“Look, 100%, I definitely want to be back involved in the NBL,” Kordahi stated, openly confirming his ambition to re-enter the league.

Since stepping down as Illawarra Hawks president in April 2022, Kordahi has remained active in NBL ownership conversations and broader league discussions, having previously been the only Australian representative in the syndicate that rescued the Hawks’ licence in 2020.

He later divested his equity in the Hawks investment vehicle in June 2023, but his name has continued to be linked to future ownership opportunities, including the widely discussed push for a second Sydney licence and his ongoing personal campaign to bring Newcastle back into the competition.

“I’ll keep pushing, you know, from my end… whether it’s a second Sydney license or a Newcastle license, I’ve always put my hat in the ring that I want to be back involved. Everyone knows that, so it’s not something I’m going to shy away from, and I’ll say it on record that, yeah, I’m definitely keen to get back.”

From a market perspective, Newcastle presents a compelling case for expansion. As Kordahi points out, the city’s population and regional influence make it a natural fit for a top-tier professional sporting franchise.

“It’s the 2nd biggest city in New South Wales, 7th biggest in Australia,” he noted, highlighting the scale of the untapped market that currently lacks representation in the NBL.

Beyond the demographics, the push for a team is not just theoretical. Kordahi has already spent more than a year actively laying the groundwork in the region, meeting with local government representatives and engaging with the sports minister to explore the feasibility of the project.

“I’m an advocate for Newcastle.” he said. “People around the league know that I’ve been pushing for a Newcastle license.” 

The NBL was driven into existence by Dr John Raschke, a Newcastle physician widely described as “the father of the NBL,” whose vision helped turn the idea of a national men’s competition into reality when the inaugural season launched in 1979. 

Newcastle is also commonly referenced as the “birthplace of the NBL” and the Newcastle Falcons were one of the league’s foundational clubs, creating a legacy that still resonates with fans across the Hunter region. 

“There’s definitely a lot of history in Newcastle and something that I’m not shy of, and look, I’d love to see a Newcastle team,” Kordahi said.

Kordahi has already taken that historical argument directly to the NBL leadership.

“I’ve said to Larry [Kestelman] in the league that I am very interested in the Newcastle Falcons. I think a team up in Newcastle is warranted, that’s where the league started, the inception of the league started up in Newcastle.”

That legacy also creates a unique branding advantage. Rather than entering a crowded metropolitan market as a secondary franchise, a Newcastle team would immediately own its region and reconnect with an established sporting identity.

“I definitely don’t see an issue having two clubs and maybe, you know, this club’s called the Falcons for a reason.”

Despite the growing momentum, one major hurdle remains. Newcastle currently lacks a modern indoor arena capable of meeting the NBL’s facility requirements. Kordahi was blunt about the challenge.

“The stadium’s a big issue… issues we’ve got up there are not having the right stadium to facilitate for a team unfortunately.”

The league has evolved significantly in recent years, and modern franchises now require large, commercially viable venues rather than the suburban recreation centres that once hosted NBL teams. At present, Newcastle does not yet have a funded plan for a suitable 5,000-plus seat indoor stadium.

There is, however, a potential solution already on the table. Venues NSW has completed a detailed business case recommending the construction of a new $350 million indoor arena as part of the broader Broadmeadow redevelopment project. The proposed venue would seat approximately 11,000 spectators and would be built adjacent to McDonald Jones Stadium as part of a wider sports and entertainment precinct.