NBL boss cleared but Hawks won't give up fight

The Illawarra Hawks' majority owner has accused Larry Kestelman of tarnishing the sport's reputation, after Basketball Australia's independent investigation dismissed their formal complaint against the NBL owner.

BA last year hired barrister Justin Gleeson to consider the complaint lodged by Jared Novelly, the American majority owner of the Hawks who has been nominated as Donald Trump's ambassador to New Zealand.

For more than a year Novelly has been at war with Kestelman, accusing the telco mogul of conflicts of interest in his running of the league and querying the distribution of revenue to the NBL's 10 clubs.

In the latest chapter of the feud, BA revealed on Monday that Gleeson's investigation found no "credible" evidence Kestelman had breached the NBL's code of conduct.

Gleeson consulted with the 10 clubs and could find no evidence any had been disadvantaged by Kestelman's management of the league.

The NSW Supreme Court last year threw out Novelly's push to access NBL financial documents, though an appeal has been lodged.

Novelly is also refusing to lay down arms over the BA investigation.

The Hawks' parent company Crest Sports and Entertainment released a strongly-worded statement on Monday that questioned why Gleeson's report had not been made public, and urged the sport's global body FIBA to become involved.

Novelly and Crest had previously lodged their complaint with FIBA, which deferred an investigation to BA.

"This attempted cover up is paper thin," a Crest spokesperson wrote in a statement to AAP.

"Until the report is released in full, how can anyone have confidence in the process or the outcome? Burying it shows a lack of respect for players, owners, fans and everyone involved in the game.

"The self-dealing and conflicts of interest, which tarnish basketball in this country, are patently obvious to anyone who follows the game. That is why we initially went to FIBA with our complaint and expect they will ultimately have to investigate."

Since Kestelman bought the NBL in 2015, the league has engaged in partnerships with Reebok and Foot Locker, brands in which Kestelman owned equity, and given merchandising rights to a clothing label founded by his son.

Kestelman previously held equity in three of the league's 10 clubs, though has since sold his shares.

The NBL last year relocated its Melbourne offices to a building owned by Kestelman's property group.

In a statement issued by the NBL, Kestelman said he considered Gleeson's findings a vindication and was hopeful of moving on from the matter.

Kestelman has overseen a revitalisation of the once embattled league, which welcomed a record 1.2 million fans to games in the 2025/26 season.

"I'm pleased this matter is now behind us, and that my name has been cleared," he said.

"I have worked extremely hard to repair and grow the NBL for the last 15 years and have always acted in the best interests of basketball in Australia and welcome the outcome of the investigation."

In the aftermath of Gleeson's investigation, the NBL will work with BA to strengthen its governance, and has hired Professor Graeme Samuel to assist on the project.

Samuel, who joins the NBL board, has previously served on the Australian Rugby League and AFL commissions.