The owner of one of the clubs in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) is reportedly taking legal against the league’s owner to obtain important financial and commercial information.
The Illawarra Hawks have made an application to the NSW Supreme Court for details of how the sport is managed under Larry Kestelman, who owns the NBL and an interest in rival NBL club the Tasmania JackJumpers, according to media reports.
Azzet contacted the parties for comment, and at the time of writing had received no response, but has confirmed the existence of a summons in relation over this matter.
Kestelman, with a fortune estimated at A$1.27 billion, has poured millions of dollars into rescuing a league that was on its knees when he took over 2015.
Hawks owner Jared Novelly claimed in an affidavit that Kestelman threatened him over attempts to obtain financial information, the Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) and The Age newspapers reported.
Kestelman allegedly told Novelly during a phone call on 7 April 2022 that “volunteers normally get shot” and he would seek “appropriate retribution” against Novelly for agitating for a team charter that would align the way each club operates.
The Hawks told other club owners via an email they had launched the action over concerns about financial transparency and distributions to teams, Kestelman’s ownership and control of the NBL and the JackJumpers, transactions between the league and companies owned by Kestelman and “opaque accounting of revenue received from sports betting”, according to the SMH.
“The application has been made because the club has reason to believe that it may have claims against NBLCo, but needs certain information and documents to determine the claims available and to decide if it will commence proceedings,” the email to owners said.
Kestelman sold 51% of 2024 NBL champions the JackJumpers to Altor Capital in February 2025, with the balance to be sold by 2027, and also divested 10% of Melbourne United in March 2024.
The AFR quoted an NBL spokesman as saying no claim had been brought against the NBL.
“The NBL is disappointed to see Mr Novelly misusing the club and court process to generate media attention. We will address Mr Novelly’s allegations through the proper channels,” the spokesman said.
