National Basketball League Owner Larry Kestelman believes Victoria "could support three NBL sides and plans to have at least one more in the league within two years," according to Roy Ward of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Melbourne United sold out several games at Hisense Arena this season but Kestelman wants the club "to have a rival and one strong enough to compete." This has seen the league have early discussions with some Australian Football League clubs "about their interest in entering NBL sides," a notion that has been discussed before and "now has more hope of success" as football clubs are fielding AFL Women's, Super Netball and Victorian Football League Women's sides. The league has "not ruled out entering a new Melbourne team for next season" but will not "be rushed." Some reports last week said that Collingwood and Fremantle had interest in an NBL side while Richmond investigated entering a southeastern side in '15. In his "deal blueprint," Kestelman would have a southeastern suburbs NBL side and a western Melbourne NBL team "which would reach out to Geelong" (SMH, 11/19).
