NBL Will Do “Everything Humanly Possible” To Have Fans At Games

NBL owner and executive chairman, Larry Kestelman, said the league will do “everything humanly possible” to start the 2020/21 NBL season with fans in attendance.

Kestelman also announced the league would start the season after the AFL and NRL completed their respective seasons, when speaking to SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“We will be doing everything humanly possible to get crowds into venues,” Kestelman said.

“Basketball is all about the crowds.

“Our singular focus is to get crowds into the venues in a safe way and we will be working with the government authorities and the venues to make sure that happens.

“We have the next five months to plan and prepare,” he said.

When asked about the likelihood of 2019 NBL MVP, Andrew Bogut returning, after the Sydney Kings star and NBA champion announced he is putting contract talks for next season on hold, Kestelman said he is hopeful Bogut will remain engaged with the league and be a significant voice in Australian basketball.

“Andrew Bogut is someone that is very important to our league,” Kestelman said.

“He was the trailblazer of hopefully the first of many of our NBA stars coming back.

“He is fantastic for us.

“I certainly hope he assesses what is happening and then decides to play at least another year and see us through to the Olympics.

“I have a huge amount of respect for what he has achieved.

“He certainly is not lacking in opinion that’s for sure, but I think the game needs characters and for the most part it’s very positive and he has been amazing for the game.

“I certainly hope he stays engaged with us.

“Number one I hope he plays and if he doesn’t, I hope he remains a part of our league,” he said.