View source for National Basketball League (Australia)

{{Short description|Men's professional basketball in Australasia}}
{{Lead too short|date=May 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = National Basketball League
| current_season  = 2025–26 NBL season
| logo            = NBL (Australia) logo.svg
| pixels          = 210px
| sport           = Basketball
| founded         = {{Start date and age|1978}}<br>(as National Invitation Basketball League)
| founder         = John Raschke
| inaugural       = [[1979 NBL season|1979]]
| ceo             = David Stevenson
| coo             = Vince Crivelli
| director        = [[Larry Kestelman]]
| motto           = Play It Loud
| teams           = [[#Current clubs|10]]
| countries       = Australia (9 teams)<br />New Zealand (1 team)
| headquarters    = 10 Queens Road<br />[[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|VIC]], 3004
| confed          = [[FIBA Oceania]] {{small|([[Oceania]])}}
| most_champs     = [[Perth Wildcats]]<br />(10 titles)
| champions       = [[Illawarra Hawks]]<br />(2nd title)<br />([[2024–25 NBL season|2024–25]])
| TV              = [[ESPN Australia|ESPN]]/[[Foxtel]], [[Network 10]]/[[10 Drama]], [[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]]
| streaming       = [[Disney+]], [[Kayo Sports]], [[10 (VoD service)|10]], [[NBL TV]], [[Sky Sport (New Zealand)#Sky Sport Now|Sky Sport Now]]
| sponsor         = [[Hungry Jack's]]
| levels          = 1
| pyramid         = Basketball in Australia#League system
| domestic_cup    = 
{{unbulleted list
| [[NBL Ignite Cup]]
| [[NBL Cup]] {{small|(defunct)}}
}}
| confed_cup      = [[FIBA Intercontinental Cup|Intercontinental Cup]]
| website         = {{Official URL}}
}}

The '''National Basketball League''' ('''NBL''') is a men's [[Professional sports#Basketball|professional]] [[basketball]] [[list of basketball leagues|league]] in [[Australasia]], currently composed of ten teams: nine in Australia and one in New Zealand. It is the premier professional men's basketball league in Australia and New Zealand.<ref name=nbl-hq>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-hq|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626103747/http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-hq|url-status=dead|title=NBL HQ|archivedate=26 June 2015}}</ref> The league was played in the Australian winter until 1998 when it switched to summer seasons beginning with the [[1998–99 NBL season|1998–99 season]]. The NBL's regular season runs from September to February, with each team playing 33 games. The league's finals extends into March to April, culminating with the Championship grand final series.

== History ==
[[File:Nblcage.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Melbourne Tigers]] and [[Gold Coast Blaze]] at [[Parkville Stadium]]]]

The NBL was established as the '''National Invitation Basketball League''' ('''NIBL''')<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nagy|first1=Boti|title=NBL postpones free agency period as it wrestles with possible three-import restriction and contract restructures|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-postpones-free-agency-period-as-it-wrestles-with-possible-threeimport-restriction-and-contract-restructures/news-story/a22276d7654b14b4d635ddc8574c5206|website=The Advertiser|access-date=25 January 2025|date=10 March 2016}}</ref> in 1978 and commenced its first season in 1979.<ref>{{cite news|title=To Lindsay Gaze, the game's the thing|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-to-lindsay-gaze-the-games-the/163891034/|access-date=25 January 2025|work=The Age|date=4 December 1989|page=27|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> It was renamed as the '''National Basketball League''' ('''NBL''')<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nagy|first1=Boti|title=FLASHBACK 17: Random flashes...|url=http://www.botinagy.com/blog/flashback-17-random-flashes/|website=Boti Nagy|access-date=25 January 2025}}</ref> in 1980.<ref name="nbl history">{{cite web|title=NBL History|website=NBL.com.au|url=https://nbl.com.au/pages/nbl-history|access-date=26 January 2025}}</ref>

Before the establishment of the NBL, there were two national basketball competitions: the National Titles and the Australian Club Championships.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kings announce Claude Williams MVP Award ahead of Indigenous Round game|website=SydneyKings.com|date=28 May 2021|url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/kings-announce-claude-williams-mvp-award-ahead-of-indigenous-round-game|access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref> 

In August 1979, the [[1979 NBL season|inaugural season]] of the NBL commenced, playing in the winter season (April–September) which it did so until the completion of the [[1998 NBL season|1998 season]], the league's twentieth season.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Basketball League (NBL) History|url=https://10play.com.au/sunday-hoops/articles/national-basketball-league-nbl-history/tpa211108mshkb|work=10play.com.au|access-date=11 November 2021|date=11 November 2021}}</ref> The [[1998–99 NBL season|1998–99 season]], which began only months later, was the first to be played during the summer season (October–April). The shift, which is currently used by the league, was an attempt to avoid competing directly against [[Football in Australia|Australia's various winter season football codes]].  Officially the NBL is Australia's third oldest continuing national sporting competition after the domestic cricket competition (which commenced its first season in 1892) and Australian Football League (which commenced its first season in 1897 as the Victorian Football League before changing its name in 1990).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketaustralia.com.au/cricket/high-performance/australian-domestic-cricket/sheffield-shield|title=Sheffield Shield &#124; Cricket Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/about-afl/history|title=Australian Football League}}</ref>

[[File:South East Melbourne Phoenix vs. Adelaide 36ers.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[South East Melbourne Phoenix|S.E. Melbourne Phoenix]] and [[Adelaide 36ers]] at [[John Cain Arena]]]]

The NBL experienced its "golden age" in the late 1980s and early 1990s,<ref>[https://blogs.crikey.com.au/sports/2008/12/10/the-decline-of-the-nbl/ The decline of the NBL], [[Crikey]], 10 December 2008</ref> but its popularity, media attention, attendance and corporate support deteriorated and plateaued in the decade afterward with the growth of the country's four football codes.

A second Melbourne club, the [[South Dragons]], entered the league in the [[2006–07 NBL season|2006–07 season]], but was short lived, soon folding 3 years later after the [[2008–09 NBL season|2008–09 season]] in which they were NBL champions. In the 2006–07 season, the NBL became the first Australasian sporting league to field a team from Asia with the [[Singapore Slingers]] playing.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBL heads to Singapore|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=3165|work=NBL.com.au|date=15 March 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427105854/http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=3165 |access-date=5 August 2023| archive-date=27 April 2006 }}</ref> The [[Gold Coast Blaze]] also joined the competition in the [[2007–08 NBL season|2007–08 season]]. In 2007, Australian NBA player [[Andrew Bogut]] suggested the NBL try to adopt a model similar to the Australian Football League (AFL) whereby there are the same 10 or 15 teams over a 10-year period.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adopt AFL model|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/old-sport-pages/adopt-afl-model/story-e6frfgbf-1111113718503|work=HeraldSun.com|date=11 June 2007|access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>
 
A turbulent period during 2008 and 2009 saw the league lose teams from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|title=The uncertain future and rocky history of the NBL in Australia|website=ABC.net.au|date=28 January 2023|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-28/the-future-of-the-nbl-in-australia-and-fall-of-canberra-cannons/101899488|access-date=28 January 2023}}</ref>

The [[2009–10 NBL season|2009–10 season]] earmarked as the season in which the NBL would begin its revamping, much like the old [[National Soccer League]] which became the eight team [[A-League]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our history|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/aleague/history|work=footballaustralia.com.au|access-date=15 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022145515/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/aleague/history|archive-date=22 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The NBL returned to [[free-to-air]] television in Australia for the first time in three years with [[One (Australian TV channel)|One]] broadcasting 2–3 games a week.

The [[2010–11 NBL season|2010–11 season]] saw the return of the [[Sydney Kings]] after the club was purchased for {{AUD}}20,000 on 31 July 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kings return on the cards|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/other-sports/basketball/kings-return-on-the-cards/story-e6frf3f3-1111117076589|work=foxsports.com.au|date=1 August 2008|access-date=5 April 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, the NBL had a de-merger from [[Basketball Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1qc1ht5gytmew1c6r352rhpr4k|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026154637/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1qc1ht5gytmew1c6r352rhpr4k|url-status=dead|title=Basketball Australia and National Basketball League to move forward with de-merger|archivedate=26 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/the-national-basketball-league-will-relaunch-its-own-competition/story-fni2u9cl-1226676484238|title=The National Basketball League will relaunch its own competition}}</ref>

Crowds improved for the [[2013–14 NBL season]], recording the highest cumulative crowd attendance figures for the past five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/q6ujg582svk91sq2lkcg7cs0c |title=Archived copy|access-date=2014-04-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311195933/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/q6ujg582svk91sq2lkcg7cs0c|archive-date=11 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

After numerous teams folding and a plummeting public profile property developer [[Larry Kestelman]] purchased a 51% portion of the league. Since then game attendance, TV viewership, website visitors and app downloads have been consistently on the increase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aussiehoopla.com/nbl-general-manager-jeremy-loeliger-joins-the-podcast/|title=NBL General Manager Jeremy Loeliger joins the podcast|website=www.aussiehoopla.com|date=16 February 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>

In April 2016, the [[Townsville Crocodiles]] folded as they had become too financially unsustainable to continue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nbl-owner-larry-kestelman-says-the-townsville-crocodiles-had-no-option-but-to-fold/news-story/2bc41ae28a50d4f05254ed1671243526|title=Crocodiles death roll out of the NBL|access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>

Larry Kestelman has stated on the Aussie Hoopla podcast that no NBL club will ever fold again as long as he is in control of the league.

Allowing for clubs to recruit the best Australian players not in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] became easier with the marquee rule which saw the return from Europe and the US of players such as [[Brad Newley]], [[David Andersen]] and [[Andrew Bogut]]. In addition the Special Restricted Player rule, introduced for the 2016–17 season, allows for clubs to recruit players born in countries such as [[China]], [[Philippines]], [[Taiwan]], [[India]], [[South Korea]], [[Singapore]], and [[Japan]] who would not count as imports under NBL rules.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/brisbane-bullets-sign-japanese-star-makoto-hiejima-for-the-upcoming-nbl-season/news-story/c8465e9ca1104cd442c45497239cecb5|title=Brisbane Bullets sign Japanese star Makoto Hiejima for the upcoming NBL season}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBL: An in-depth look at the mysterious Australian Basketball League|url=https://m.basketnews.com/news-175331-nbl-an-in-depth-look-at-the-mysterious-australian-basketball-league.html|work=basketballnews.com|date=26 July 2022|access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref>

From 2016 to 2018, there was a renewed interest in the sport, with it being described as being the National Basketball League's greatest ever period. 2016–17 set a new attendance record for the league, with the figure being matched the following year, as well as the Grand Final series for the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-07/nbl:-adelaide-takes-on-illawarra/7912138?&section=sport&date=20170109T0449%5C|title=National Basketball League 2016-17: 'the league hasn't been this strong ever', Adelaide coach says - ABC News|newspaper=ABC News|date=7 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sponsorshipnews.com.au/nl06_news_print.php?selkey=46963|title=NBL sets new records in 2017-18 season|website=www.sponsorshipnews.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904084803/https://www.sponsorshipnews.com.au/nl06_news_print.php?selkey=46963|archive-date=4 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-crowds-on-the-rise-on-track-for-record-attendance-over-201718-season/news-story/e6f8c647fee174ca58313c935d4bf4e0|title=NBL crowds on the rise, on track for record attendance over 2017–18 season}}</ref>

In 2018, the [[South East Melbourne Phoenix|S.E. Melbourne Phoenix]] were announced as the latest club to join the league, and started competing in the [[2019–20 NBL season|2019–20 season]]; a season which was widely regarded as a major season for the league. After an active off-season, including the signings of [[LaMelo Ball]] and [[R. J. Hampton]], two highly rated [[NBA]] 2020 [[Draft (sports)|draft picks]], the league started by continuing to topple attendance records from the first round.<ref name="2019/20 attendance">{{cite web|title=Record Crowds Attend NBL Opening Round|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/record-crowds-attend-nbl-opening-round|website=NBL.com.au|access-date=5 November 2019|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405134621/https://nbl.com.au/news/record-crowds-attend-nbl-opening-round|url-status=dead}}</ref> The season's opening night had 10,300 fans in attendance to watch Melbourne United and the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix compete in the first "Throwdown", with a further 20,550 fans attending games across the first round.<ref>{{cite news|title=South East Melbourne Phoenix stun Melbourne United in NBL debut|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/south-east-melbourne-phoenix-stun-melbourne-united-in-nbl-debut/news-story/fcd43d2138db433c3a4bcdd1f1ddc3d9 |newspaper=Herald Sun|url-access=subscription}}</ref> After signing a broadcasting deal with [[Facebook Watch]], over one million American fans watched [[LaMelo Ball|Ball]]'s first game in the NBL against the [[Brisbane Bullets]].<ref>{{cite web|title=National Basketball League|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/one-million-fans-watch-nbl-on-facebook|website=NBL.com.au|language=en}}</ref>

Following two condensed seasons due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the [[2022–23 NBL season]] and the [[2023 NBL Finals|2023 finals series]] saw a number of all-time attendance records being set for the league.<ref>{{cite web|title=Championship Series Crowd Records Smashed|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/championship-series-crowd-records-smashed|website=NBL.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[2023–24 NBL season|2023–24 season]], one million fans attended NBL games for the first time since 1996.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bruce|first1=Jasper|last2=Vaughan|first2=Roger|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8677076/nbl-to-run-wnbl-after-basketball-australia-sells/|title=NBL to run WNBL after Basketball Australia sells|work=[[The Canberra Times]]|date=27 June 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240627040743/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8677076/nbl-to-run-wnbl-after-basketball-australia-sells/|archive-date=27 June 2024}}</ref>

On 11 March 2025, the [[National Basketball Association]], the National Basketball League and the [[Victoria State Government]] announced that the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] of the NBA would play two pre-season exhibition basketball games at [[Rod Laver Arena]] in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], [[Australia]], as part of the [[NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series]]. The Pelicans will play [[Melbourne United]] 3 October 2025, and the [[South East Melbourne Phoenix]] on 5 October 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/pelicans-to-play-nbl-teams-in-australia |title=Pelicans to play NBL teams in Australia|last=NBL|date=11 March 2025|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref>

On 20 August 2025, the NBL and ESPN announced they had extended their broadcast and streaming media deal. 2025-26 games will be live on [[Disney+]] via the [[ESPN]] tile as well as the existing coverage through [[Foxtel]], [[Kayo Sports]], Fetch TV, and [[Sky New Zealand]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBL and ESPN extend media rights deal {{!}} Basketball.com.au |url=https://www.basketball.com.au/news/nbl-and-espn-extend-media-rights-deal |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=www.basketball.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

== Competition format ==
[[File:Melbourne United vs. Sydney Kings.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Melbourne United]] and [[Sydney Kings]] at [[Melbourne Arena]]]]

=== Game length ===
From the 1979 season until the 1983 season, the NBL played 40 minute games with two 20-minute halves and no three-point line.<ref name=batemon>{{cite news |title=Batemon's 51 among modern-day best |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/batemons-51-among-modern-day-best |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=17 November 2024}}</ref> From the 1984 season until the 2008–09 season, the NBL played 48 minute games over four 12-minute quarters.<ref name=boti>{{cite news |title=The "new NBL" - what it means |url=http://www.botinagy.com/blog/the-new-nbl---what-it-means/ |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=www.botinagy.com |date=2 May 2013}}</ref> Since the 2009–10 season, the NBL's format is 40 minute games with four 10-minute quarters,<ref name="boti" /> known as the "modern" 40-minute era.<ref name="batemon" />

=== Regular season ===
Since the [[2009–10 NBL season|2009–10 season]], each team has played 28 games during the regular season, 14 home and 14 away. The regular season starts in early October and ends in mid February.

In the [[2020–21 NBL season|2020–21 season]], each team played an extra 8 games (36 games) due to the newly formatted [[NBL Cup]] tournament. The following season the NBL returned to their normal format of 28 games with no midseason tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBL22's scheduled November 18 launch in some doubt: Loeliger|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/32310776/nbl22-scheduled-november-18-launch-some-doubt-says-commissioner-jeremy-loeliger|website=ESPN.com.au|date=1 October 2021|access-date=1 August 2022}}</ref>

=== Finals ===
{{Main|NBL Finals}}
The top four teams at the end of the regular season advances to the Finals. The team finishing in the first and second position at the completion of the regular season receives home advantages in their best-of-three first round matchup against the team finishing in third and fourth position. The winner of each of the three matches advances to the Grand Final. The winner of Series 1 plays the winner of Series 2 in the best-of-five Grand Final series, with home advantage being awarded to the highest remaining seed. The winner of this series is crowned as NBL champion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Finals|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/finals|work=NBL.com.au|access-date=7 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409101422/http://www.nbl.com.au/finals|archive-date=9 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In the [[2022–23 NBL season|2022–23 season]], the NBL introduced [[play-in game]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Play-In Tournament Confirmed|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/play-in-tournament-confirmed|work=NBL.com.au|date=27 April 2022|access-date=29 April 2022}}</ref> The top two seeds in the regular season will automatically qualify to the semi-finals. Teams ranked three to six will compete in the play-in tournament. The third seed will play the fourth seed for third spot and the loser will play the winner of fifth or sixth for the fourth seed.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Finals Shake Up|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/new-finals-shake-up|work=NBL.com.au|date=2 August 2022|access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref>

=== NBL Ignite Cup ===
{{Main|NBL Ignite Cup}}
On 18 June 2025, the NBL established the first [[NBL Ignite Cup]]. It will begin each season in Round 4 starting with the [[2025–26 NBL season]], with games played every Wednesday evening. Teams will receive one point for every quarter they win or half a point each if tied, and three points for winning the game.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-06-18|title=Mid-week shake-up as NBL reveals 'daring and bold' new tournament, with record payday |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/nbl-introduces-nbl-cup-inseason-tournament-for-202526-season-details-how-does-it-work-prize-money-schedule/news-story/114b3bf31f742ba6b28d922879923c1f|access-date=2025-06-18|website=Fox Sports|language=en}}</ref> Each team will play two home games and two road games. The two highest-ranked teams based on both points will advance to the Grand Final. The winner of the Grand Final will receive prize money. The 20 games will count toward a team's record, while the Grand Final would not count as a regular season game.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-05-17|title=Sources: NBL to introduce in-season tournament|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/45186389/nbl-introduce-season-tournament-sources-olgun-uluc|access-date=2025-05-17|website=ESPN.com.au|language=en}}</ref> It is similar to the [[2021 NBL Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=NBL "exploring" mid-season tournament|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-exploring-mid-season-tournament|access-date=2025-05-25|website=nbl.com.au|language=en}}</ref> Teams will be awarded one point for each quarter they win and three points for each game they win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBL to launch In-Season Tournament for 2025-26 season {{!}} Basketball.com.au|url=https://www.basketball.com.au/news/nbl-to-launch-in-season-tournament-for-2025-26-season|access-date=2025-06-08|website=basketball.com.au|language=en}}</ref>

=== NBL Cup ===
{{Main|NBL Cup}}
In the [[2020–21 NBL season|2020–21 season]], the NBL introduced the [[NBL Cup]] which is a 36-game mid-season competition. Each game would contribute to each team's regular season record.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Uluc|first1=Olgun|title=NBL releases inaugural NBL Cup fixture|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/30831835/nbl-2021-league-reveals-inaugural-nbl-cup-details |website=ESPN.com.au|access-date=2 July 2021|date=5 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBL's Biggest Show Ever to Take Over Melbourne|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbls-biggest-show-ever-to-take-over-melbourne-feb|website=nbl.com.au|access-date=9 October 2021|date=21 December 2020}}</ref> In the [[2021–22 NBL season|2021–22 season]], the NBL returned to their normal format of 28 games.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBL22's scheduled November 18 launch in some doubt: Loeliger|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/32310776/nbl22-scheduled-november-18-launch-some-doubt-says-commissioner-jeremy-loeliger|website=ESPN.com.au|date=1 October 2021|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref> In May 2023, the league raised the potential for a return of a cup tournament with a [[Magic Round (NRL)|Magic Round]]-style basketball event.<ref>{{cite web|title=New NBL CEO eyes Gather Round-style basketball event, expansion, next broadcast deal and more|url= https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/new-nbl-ceo-eyes-gather-roundstyle-basketball-event-expansion-next-broadcast-deal-and-more/news-story/d75b6782d69c56b06eef06a6efc840c2?amp|website=heraldsun.com.au|access-date=28 July 2023|date=12 May 2023}}</ref> A mid-season tournament was raised again by the league in January 2025 following the success of the [[NBA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NBL "exploring" mid-season tournament|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-exploring-mid-season-tournament|access-date=27 January 2025|work=NBL Official Website|date=8 January 2025}}</ref>

== Current clubs ==
{{Further|List of current NBL team rosters}}

The NBL was founded in 1979 with ten clubs.<ref name="nbl-hq"/> Due to club expansions, reductions, and relocations, many of the clubs either changed or ceased to exist. There are currently ten clubs; nine clubs in Australia and one club in New Zealand. The clubs are located in [[Adelaide]], [[Auckland]], [[Brisbane]], [[Cairns]], [[Hobart]], [[Melbourne]], [[Perth]], [[Sydney]], and [[Wollongong]]. The [[Brisbane Bullets]] and the [[Illawarra Hawks]] are the oldest clubs in the league, with both clubs being established in 1979. The Hawks are the only club which has participated in every NBL season since the [[1979 NBL season|inaugural season]] in 1979.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Overview of current NBL clubs
! scope="col"|Club
! scope="col"|City
! scope="col"|Region/State
! scope="col"|Country
! scope="col"|Arena
! scope="col"|Capacity
! scope="col"|Head coach
! scope="col"|Title(s)
! scope="col"|Founded
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:36ERS COLOURS.jpg|15px]] [[Adelaide 36ers]]
| [[Adelaide]]
| {{flag|South Australia}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Adelaide Entertainment Centre]] 
| 10,000
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mike Wells (basketball)|Mike Wells]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 4
| align=center| 1982
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Brisbane Bullets colours.jpg|15px]] [[Brisbane Bullets]]
| [[Brisbane]]
| {{flag|Queensland}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Brisbane Entertainment Centre]]
| 10,500
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Stu Lash]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 3
| style="text-align: center;"| 1979
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Taipans Colours.jpg|15px]] [[Cairns Taipans]]
| [[Cairns]]
| {{flag|Queensland}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Cairns Convention Centre]] 
| 5,300
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Adam Forde]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 0
| align=center| 1999
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Illawarra Hawks colours.jpg|15px]] [[Illawarra Hawks]]
| [[Wollongong]]
| {{flag|New South Wales}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Wollongong Entertainment Centre]] 
| 6,000
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Justin Tatum]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 2
| align=center| 1979
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Melbourne Utd colours.jpg|15px]] [[Melbourne United]]
| [[Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Melbourne Park Multi-Purpose Venue|John Cain Arena]] 
| 10,300
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Dean Vickerman]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 6
| align=center| 1984
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:NZ Breakers colours.jpg|15px]] [[New Zealand Breakers]]
| [[Auckland]]
| {{flagdeco|Auckland}} [[Auckland Region]]
| {{flag|New Zealand}}
| [[Auckland City Arena]] 
| 9,740
| {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Petteri Koponen]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 4
| style="text-align: center;"| 2003
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Perth Wildcats colours.jpg|15px]] [[Perth Wildcats]]
| [[Perth]]
| {{flag|Western Australia}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Perth Arena]] 
| 15,500
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[John Rillie]]
|style="text-align:center;"| 10
| align=center| 1982
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:SE Melbourne Phoenix Colours.jpg|15px]] [[South East Melbourne Phoenix|S.E. Melbourne Phoenix]]
| [[Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Melbourne Park Multi-Purpose Venue|John Cain Arena]] 
| 10,300
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Josh King (basketball)|Josh King]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 0
| style="text-align:center;"| 2018
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Sydney Kings colours.jpg|15px]] [[Sydney Kings]]
| [[Sydney]]
| {{flag|New South Wales}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Sydney SuperDome]] 
| 18,000
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Brian Goorjian]]
| style="text-align: center;"| 5
| align=center| 1988
|-
! scope="row" nowrap style="text-align:left;"| [[File:Tasmania Jack Jumpers colours.jpg|15px]] [[Tasmania JackJumpers]]
| [[Hobart]]
| {{flag|Tasmania}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| [[Derwent Entertainment Centre]] 
| 4,340
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Roth]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020
|-
|}
<small> * Arenas shown with their non-commercial name where possible.</small>

<div>{{NBL map}}</div>

=== Former clubs ===
{{Further|List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams}}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Overview of defunct NBL clubs
|-
! scope="col"|Club
! scope="col"|City/Town
! scope="col"|Region/State/Territory
! scope="col"|Country
! scope="col"|NBL season(s)
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 02.jpg|15px]] [[Canberra Cannons]]
| [[Canberra]]
| {{flag|Australian Capital Territory}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979–2003
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 03.jpg|15px]] [[Devonport Warriors]]
| [[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]]
| {{flag|Tasmania}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1983–1984
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 14.jpg|15px]] [[Nunawading Spectres|Eastside Spectres]]
| [[Nunawading, Victoria|Nunawading]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979–1991
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 04.jpg|15px]] [[Forestville Eagles]]<ref name=eagles40>{{cite news |last1=Nagy |first1=Boti |title=After 40 years, Eagles return to the nest and celebrate a milestone in SA basketball history |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/after-40-years-eagles-return-to-the-nest-and-celebrate-a-milestone-in-sa-basketball-history/news-story/5623ddea0bdf6a85a8c11679a1073847 |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=adelaidenow.com.au |date=27 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309150543/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/after-40-years-eagles-return-to-the-nest-and-celebrate-a-milestone-in-sa-basketball-history/news-story/5623ddea0bdf6a85a8c11679a1073847 |archive-date=9 March 2017}}</ref>
| [[Wayville, South Australia|Wayville]]
| {{flag|South Australia}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
| nowrap="" style="text-align:centre;"| 1980–1981
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 05.jpg|15px]] [[Frankston Blues|Frankston Bears]]
| [[Frankston, Victoria|Frankston]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1983–1984
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 01.jpg|15px]] [[Geelong United (NBL1 South)|Geelong Supercats]]
| [[Geelong]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1982–1996
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 06.jpg|15px]] [[Glenelg Tigers (NBL)|Glenelg Tigers]]
| [[Glenelg, South Australia|Glenelg]]
| {{flag|South Australia}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 07.jpg|15px]] [[Gold Coast Blaze]]
| [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]
| {{flag|Queensland}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 2007–2012
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 08.jpg|15px]] [[Gold Coast Rollers (NBL)|Gold Coast Rollers]]
| [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]
| {{flag|Queensland}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1990–1996
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 09.jpg|15px]] [[Hobart Devils]]
| [[Hobart]]
| {{flag|Tasmania}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1983–1996
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 10.jpg|15px]] [[Hunter Pirates]]
| [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
| {{flag|New South Wales}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 2003–2006
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 11.jpg|15px]] [[Launceston Casino City]]
| [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]]
| {{flag|Tasmania}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1980–1982
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 12.jpg|15px]] [[Newcastle Falcons (basketball)|Newcastle Falcons]]
| [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
| {{flag|New South Wales}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979–1999
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 13.jpg|15px]] [[North Melbourne Giants]]
| [[North Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1980–1998
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 15.jpg|15px]] [[Singapore Slingers]]
| [[Kallang]]
| {{flagdeco|Singapore}} [[Central Region, Singapore|Central Region]]
| {{flag|Singapore}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| [[2006–07 Singapore Slingers season|2006]]–[[2007–08 Singapore Slingers season|2008]]
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 16.jpg|15px]] [[South Dragons]]
| [[Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 2006–2009
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 17.jpg|15px]] [[South East Melbourne Magic|S.E. Melbourne Magic]]
| [[Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1992–1998
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 18.jpg|15px]] [[Southern Melbourne Saints]]
| [[Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979–1991
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 20.jpg|15px]] [[Sydney SuperSonics]]
| [[Sydney]]
| {{flag|New South Wales}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979–1987
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 20.jpg|15px]] [[Townsville Crocodiles]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Townsville Crocodiles withdraw from the NBL|url=http://www.crocodiles.com.au/blog/featured-news/townsville-crocodiles-withdraw-from-nbl/|access-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002183737/http://www.crocodiles.com.au/blog/featured-news/townsville-crocodiles-withdraw-from-nbl/|archive-date=2 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| [[Townsville]]
| {{flag|Queensland}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1993–2016
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 21.jpg|15px]] [[Victoria Titans]]
| [[Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Victoria}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1998–2004
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 22.jpg|15px]] [[West Adelaide Bearcats]]
| [[Adelaide]]
| {{flag|South Australia}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979–1984
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 23.jpg|15px]] [[West Sydney Razorbacks]]
| [[Greater Western Sydney|Western Sydney]]
| {{flag|New South Wales}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1998–2009
|-
! scope="row" nowrap |[[File:Bankstown Bruins Colours 01.jpg|15px]] [[Bankstown Bruins|West Sydney Westars]]
| [[Bankstown]]
| {{flag|New South Wales}}
| {{flag|Australia}}
|nowrap style="text-align:centre;"| 1979–1987
|}

=== Recent expansion ===
After weeks of reports of a return of a Tasmanian team, in June 2019, Larry Kestelman flagged Tasmania as a potential 10th team. However he stressed that if a Tasmanian team did enter the NBL, they would be eased in, and that there was no timeline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbl.com.au/news/article/nbl-flags-10th-team-in-tasmania|title=NBL Flags 10th Team in Tasmania|website=NBL.com.au {{!}} NBL|language=en|access-date=20 July 2019}}</ref> On 28 February 2020, the NBL and the [[Tasmanian Government]] announced that they had reached an agreement for Tasmania to host the 10th team in the NBL, known as the Tasmania JackJumpers, which would join for the [[2021–22 NBL season|2021–22 season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tasmania will get its first NBL team since 1996 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-28/tasmania-gets-first-basketball-team-since-1996/12011670 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU |date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

In April 2022, Larry Kestelman flagged Canberra as a potential 11th team. Kestelman says “Canberra could be next in line for a league license, following the same model as the Tasmania JackJumpers.”<ref>{{cite web |title=NBL exploring Canberra return|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-exploring-canberra-return|website=NBL.com.au {{!}} NBL|language=en-AU |date=13 April 2022|access-date=13 April 2022}}</ref> The last Canberra team to play in the NBL was the [[Canberra Cannons|Cannons]] from 1979–2003. They won three NBL championships and played their home games at the [[AIS Arena]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NBL Ready For Canberra|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-ready-for-canberra|website=NBL.com.au {{!}} NBL|language=en-AU |date=18 May 2022|access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>

In January 2024, the NBL announced a partnership with the Japanese [[B.League]] which will see future collaboration on pre-season game crossovers and potential exploration of the viability of a team from Japan participating in the NBL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-signs-mou-with-japanese-counterpart-bleague|title=NBL signs MOU with Japanese counterpart B.LEAGUE|work=NBL.com.au|date=28 January 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128020058/https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-signs-mou-with-japanese-counterpart-bleague|archive-date=28 January 2024}}</ref>

== Rivalries ==
[[File:2021 NBL Cup.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[South East Melbourne Phoenix|S.E. Melbourne Phoenix]] and [[Melbourne United]] at [[John Cain Arena]]]]
'''''[[Adelaide 36ers]] vs [[Brisbane Bullets]]'''''

Arguably the NBL's oldest rivalry started in 1985 when the Brian Kerle coached Bullets defeated the Ken Cole coached 36ers 121–95 in the [[1985 NBL Finals|1985 NBL Grand Final]], the last single game [[NBL Grand Final|Grand Final]] in NBL history. From 1985 to 1987, the Bullets and 36ers were the two dominant teams in the NBL and the two clubs met in the [[1986 NBL Finals|1986 NBL Grand Final]], the first NBL GF to be played over a 3-game series. An Australian indoor sports attendance record of around 11,000 saw the first game of the 1986 series played at the [[Brisbane Entertainment Centre]] with Adelaide, who had a 24–2 record for the [[1986 NBL season|season]], winning 122–119 in overtime. Brisbane then handed Adelaide its only home loss of 1986 (the 36ers had gone 13–0 at the [[Apollo Stadium]]) when they won Game 2 104–83 before Adelaide won its first NBL title with a 113–91 win at Apollo in Game 3. The teams were evenly matched at the time with players such as Al Green, Mark Davis, Bill Jones, Peter Ali, [[Darryl Pearce]], [[Mike McKay (basketball)|Mike McKay]] and Dwayne Nelson (Adelaide) against Brisbane's star import [[Leroy Loggins]], captain [[Larry Sengstock]], guard [[Ron Radliff]], forwards [[Danny Morseu]], Robert Sibley and Chris McGraw, centre [[John Dorge]] and (in 1985 and 1986) Cal Bruton. Loggins was the NBL MVP in 1986 and 1987 (and player of the match in the 1985 GF) while Mark Davis was the Grand Final MVP in 1986 and shared the NBL MVP award with Loggins in [[1987 NBL season|1987]].

The Rivalry between the two clubs again reached fever pitch in the mid-1990s when Bullets guard [[Shane Heal]] earned the ire of the Adelaide crowd during Game 3 of the [[1994 NBL season|1994 Elimination final]] series when he gave the crowd at the [[Clipsal Powerhouse]] a 'double bird'. Heal, who had scored 61 points in the last regular season game before scoring 42 points in Game 1 to lead Brisbane to a 116–105 home win over the 36ers, had not actually managed to score a point before half time in Game 2 which the 36ers had won 99–91 before also winning Game 3 101–84. Heal, along with former 36er [[Mark Bradtke]] who had left under acrimonious circumstances at the end of [[1992 NBL season|1992]] to join the Melbourne Tigers, became public enemy #1 to the 36ers crowd following the incident.

With the Bullets returning to the NBL in 2016, the rivalry has continued with Adelaide defeating the Bullets in their first encounter at home, the Bullets returning the favour with an away win in Adelaide, while a week later Adelaide spoiled the Bullets regular season return to the Entertainment Centre for the first time since 1997 with a resounding 101–83 win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/livestats/?matchid=314733&page=strip|title=Bullets vs 36ers - NBL Round 8, 2016-17 |work=NBL - The National Basketball League }}</ref>

'''''[[Adelaide 36ers]] vs [[Melbourne United]]'''''

Apart from the normal South Australian and Victorian rivalry, the 36ers vs United (formerly Tigers) rivalry started at the end of the 1992 season when 36ers centre [[Mark Bradtke]] joined Spanish club [[CB Murcia|Juver Murcia]] following the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]], Spain for a short stint. Before he left he signed an agreement with the 36ers stating that he would finish his one-year contract with the club should he return within a certain time. Upon his return to Australia, Bradtke stated his intention not to return to the 36ers with the Tigers rumoured to be actively chasing him. After protracted negotiations with 36ers management that led to the club being prepared to buy out his remaining contract, the NBL stepped in and vetoed the buy out, effectively letting Bradtke leave for Melbourne without the 36ers receiving any compensation for the remainder of his contract with the club. When Bradtke returned to Adelaide with the Tigers on 4 July 1993 he was soundly booed whenever he touched the ball by the 8,000 strong crowd at the [[Clipsal Powerhouse]]. The booing of Bradtke and the [[Andrew Gaze]] led Tigers continued for a number of seasons.

A new rivalry has emerged with [[Julius Hodge]], a former 36er, returning to the NBL in November 2009, signing with the Melbourne Tigers. Hodge was a star in Adelaide when he joined the 36ers mid-season the previous two years, however issues relating to alleged missed payments caused him to walk out on the club in early January 2009 on bad terms.<ref name="heraldsun-hodge">{{cite news | url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/old-sport-pages/no-show-hodge-quits-36ers/story-e6frfgbf-1111118512303 | title=No-show Julius Hodge quits Adelaide 36ers | work=HeraldSun.com | date=8 January 2009 | access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>

Hodge returned to his old home court for the first time on 5 December 2009 in a Tigers overtime victory. After being heckled and taunted all night in a quiet game by his standards, Hodge caused more controversy when he stamped and spat on the [[Brett Maher (basketball)|Brett Maher]] signature on the centre of the Brett Maher Court following his new club's win. He was booed off aggressively and loudly by the Adelaide fans and needed security to escort him out of the stadium.<ref name="abc-hodge">{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-12-06/hodge-sticks-the-boot-into-adelaide/1171266 | title=Hodge sticks the boot into Adelaide | work=ABC.net.au | date=6 December 2009 | access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>

'''''[[Adelaide 36ers]] vs [[Perth Wildcats]]'''''

Both teams were perennial championship contenders in the late 1980s and early 90s and had several marquee players with excellent match-ups, the three most notable all involving American imports: [[Al Green (basketball)|Al Green]] (Adelaide) vs [[Cal Bruton]] (Perth), [[Mark Davis (basketball, born 1960)|Mark Davis]] (Adelaide) vs [[James Crawford (basketball)|James Crawford]] (Perth) and [[Bill Jones (basketball, born 1966)|Bill Jones]] (Adelaide) vs [[Tiny Pinder]] (Perth). Games during this era were rarely blowouts and helped to fuel the rivalry. Adelaide won the 1986 NBL Championship over the [[Brisbane Bullets]] and Bruton, who moved from Brisbane to be player-coach of Perth in 1987, built a team specifically to beat the reigning champions. Despite the long time rivalry between the two clubs, and the two teams having played numerous semi-final series against each other with the first being in that [[1987 NBL season|1987 season]], they did not face each other in a grand final series until the [[2013–14 NBL season|2013–14 season]], which was won by the Perth Wildcats. the Wildcats have won each semi-finals series played between the two (1987, [[1989 NBL Finals|1989]] and [[1995 NBL season|1995]]).

The 1995 series proved to be one of the most volatile and controversial due to an incident between 36ers forward Chris Blakemore and Perth's [[Martin Cattalini]] in Game 1 in Adelaide. Under instructions from coach [[Mike Dunlap]] to basically belt the next Perth player to go through the key, Blakemore back handed Cattalini, giving the Wildcats forward a large cut on his mouth that required 15 stitches. Blakemore was suspended for Game 2 in [[Perth Entertainment Centre|Perth]] as the Wildcats swept the 36ers 2–0 before going on to defeat the defending champion [[North Melbourne Giants]] (who had swept Adelaide in 1994) 2–1 in the Grand Final. In an ironic twist, Cattalini would join the 36ers in 1996 and later went on to win two championships with the club (plus another with Perth), while Blakemore, the NBL's Rookie of the year in [[1993 NBL season|1993]] and its Most Improved Player award winner in [[1994 NBL season|1994]], as well as playing for the [[Australian boomers|Australian Boomers]] in 1995, joined the [[Canberra Cannons]] in 1996 and his career went downhill from there with his NBL career ending at the end of [[1997 NBL season|1997]] after just two seasons with the Cannons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKnxKzpuxsU|title=TITLE TOWN: Adelaide 36ers in the 90s &#124; Feature Length Documentary by NBAussie|date=18 September 2016 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

As the mainstay players began to slow with age and retire, the intensity of this rivalry has declined. The two clubs remain some of the most successful in the NBL with four championships for Adelaide and ten for Perth, and are first and second on the all-time wins list (748 wins for Perth, 692 wins for Adelaide as of 20 May 2021) and have also matched up on more occasions (134 times total; Perth leading all time between the two 73 – 61) than any other two teams in the NBL (as of 15 November 2019). The rivalry continues into the [[2012–13 NBL season|2012–13 season]] with the 36ers beating the Wildcats in back to back games in rounds 6 and 7, including the opening game at Perth's new home, the [[Perth Arena]], in front of a then record Wildcats crowd of 11,562.

The Wildcats and the 36ers dominated the [[2013–14 NBL season]], finishing first and second respectively during the regular round. After the three previous semi-final meetings, they then faced off in their first ever Grand Final series which saw the Wildcats emerge with their record 6th NBL championship with a 2–1 series win. This was one of the most anticipated series in NBL history, not only given the two clubs' long-standing rivalry, but also due to the post-game on court 'brawl' which took place following their Round 18 clash in Perth earlier in the season.

Adelaide and Perth play for the Cattalini Cup named for Perth born Martin Cattalini who won two championships with each club. In each game, the game MVP is awarded with the [[Paul Rogers (basketball)|Paul Rogers]] Medal named for Adelaide born centre Paul Rogers who made his NBL debut for the 36ers in 1992 and later joined Perth, winning 2 championships and the NBL MVP award in 2000 while with the Wildcats.

'''''[[Cairns Taipans]] vs [[Townsville Crocodiles]]'''''
[[File:Cairns Taipans 2018.11.3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Cairns Taipans]] and [[Melbourne United]] at [[Cairns Convention Centre]]]]
A local derby-style rivalry nicknamed "Reptile Rumble" has developed to determine which is the dominant North Queensland team. The Cairns-Townsville basketball rivalry would have to be one of the longest and most passionate in the NBL.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} Both teams generally attract a close to capacity crowd anywhere from 4000+ at their home games. Each team and their supporters and mascots generally boo and taunt their visiting rivals. The rivalry has been in existent for over 10 years and almost came to a near end when the Cairns Taipans were on the verge of extinction due to financial issues.

The rivalry between the two North Queensland based clubs is currently extinct due to the Crocodiles folding at the end of the [[2015–16 NBL season]].

'''''[[Illawarra Hawks]] vs [[Sydney Kings]]'''''

Illawarra Hawks fans consider the Sydney Kings to be their most fierce rival. Many Hawks players have moved to the Kings including two former Rookie of the Year winners and a two-time Olympian. In the absence of the Kings, the [[Sydney Spirit]] took the role of rival, but this felt fake to some Hawks faithful. The Hawks took bragging rights after the [[2000–01 NBL season|2000–01 season]] when they became the first team from New South Wales to qualify for the NBL finals, which they won against Townsville. Sydney then took the ascendency when they won three championships in a row, including a clean sweep of the Hawks.

The next time they met in the post-season, Sydney swept the Hawks 2–0 in the [[2022 NBL Finals#(2) Illawarra Hawks vs. (3) Sydney Kings|2022 Semi-Finals]] enroute to their fourth championship.<ref>{{cite web|last=McQuade|first=Matt|url=https://www.sydneykings.com/news/kings-win-13th-straight-after-epic-in-wollongong|title=Kings win 13th straight after epic in Wollongong|work=sydneykings.com|date=14 April 2022|access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/kings-win-first-championship-in-17-years-with-record-crowd|title=Kings Win First Championship in 17 Years with Record Crowd|website=NBL.com.au {{!}} NBL|date=11 May 2022|access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>

'''''[[New Zealand Breakers]] vs [[Perth Wildcats]]'''''

The Breakers and the Wildcats have arguably been the NBL's strongest teams and have been fairly evenly matched. Between them, they have won every year's premiership from 2009–10 to 2016–17 and met in the final in 2011–12 and 2012–13 (both won by the Breakers) and 2015–16 (won by the Wildcats). Both teams have similarities in that they have to travel great distances to play any other NBL team. These two factors have combined to make a "derby of distance" between the NBL's farthest-flung members. The rivalry may have its origins in a scrap between players from each side after a game in 2004.<ref>Brown, Michael "[http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10875436 Basketball: Inside the Breakers-Wildcat rivalry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113212156/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10875436 |date=13 November 2016 }}", ''New Zealand Herald'', 5 April 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2016.</ref> Games between the two sides have been intense ones for several years and often marked with incident.<ref>Mulligan, Andrew "[http://thespinoff.co.nz/featured/02-03-2016/why-all-blacks-vs-wallabies-has-nothing-on-breakers-vs-wildcats/ Why All Blacks vs Wallabies has nothing on Breakers vs Wildcats]", ''The Spinoff'', 2 March 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.</ref>

'''''[[Melbourne United]] vs [[South East Melbourne Phoenix]]'''''

Known as the "Throwdown", these two teams formed a rivalry as they are both based in Melbourne and play their games at [[John Cain Arena]]. The first Throwdown was the Phoenix's first game in the NBL, as well as the first game of the [[2019–20 NBL season]], with the Phoenix winning 91–88.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/|title=National Basketball League &#124; NBL Australia &#124; Australia's Basketball League|website=National Basketball League &#124; NBL Australia &#124; Australia's Basketball League}}</ref>

The two teams have since met in the [[2021 NBL Finals|2021 semi-finals]], with United winning the series 2–1.<ref>{{cite web |title=Landale inspires United Game 3 fightback over Phoenix |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/landale-inspires-united-game-3-fightback-over-phoenix |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=23 June 2021 |date=16 June 2021}}</ref>

== Organisation ==
=== Sponsorship ===
At the start of the [[2004–05 NBL season|2004–05 season]], the NBL struck a new television deal with [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]] in Australia and a multi-year naming-rights sponsorship deal with electronics manufacturer [[Philips]]. Though in 2007, Philips announced they would not continuing their naming rights sponsorship in response to the NBL wishing to increase the sponsorship deal.<ref>{{cite news| last = Howell | first = Stephen | title = Sponsorship hike forces out Philips | work = TheAge.com | date = 18 March 2007 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/basketball/sponsorship-hike-forces-out-philips/2007/03/17/1174080225077.html | access-date = 22 October 2013}}</ref> On 18 September 2007, the NBL announced [[Hummer]] as their naming rights sponsor for the [[2007–08 NBL season|2007–08 season]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Hummer joins NBL as Naming Rights Sponsor | work = NBL.com.au | date = 18 September 2007 | url = http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72062 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070918162017/http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=72062 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 18 September 2007 | access-date = 18 September 2007}}</ref>

On 13 September 2010, [[iiNet]] was announced as the NBL naming rights sponsor and [[Centrebet]] as the official sports betting partner.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why sponsor the NBL?|url=http://blog.iinet.net.au/sponsor-nbl/|publisher=iiNet|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBL defends betting sponsorship|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nbl-defends-betting-sponsorship/news-story/ad6ccf01ac62a7a9ba6deb819a85285e|website=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corporation|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> [[Spalding (sports equipment)|Spalding]] provided equipment including the official game ball, with [[AND1]] supplying team apparel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Basketball Australia Rolls With Spalding in New Deal|url=http://basketball.net.au/basketball-australia-rolls-with-spalding-in-new-deal/|publisher=Basketball Australia|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBL Appoints 'And 1' as Official Apparel Partner|url=http://basketball.net.au/nbl-appoints-and-1-as-official-apparel-partner/|publisher=Basketball Australia|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> The iiNet sponsorship lasted for 3 seasons, and the Centrebet sponsorship lasted for two seasons.

On 5 October 2017, Hungry Jack's became the naming rights sponsor for the NBL.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hungry Jacks to be the naming rights holder of NBL|date=4 October 2017|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/hungry-jacks-to-be-the-naming-rights-holder-of-nbl-475786|publisher=Mumbrella|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> The Hungry Jack's logo features on player jerseys, in and around venues and the company is closely associated with Heritage Month in January.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Davis|first1=Greg|title=NBL lands huge sponsorship deal ahead of Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United launching 40th season|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nbl-lands-huge-sponsorship-deal-ahead-of-adelaide-36ers-and-melbourne-united-launching-40th-season/news-story/b004e867af01f1c7d5a859c7134fa270|website=The Courier Mail|publisher=News Corporation|access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

==== Naming rights ====
* 1979 to 1987: none
* 1988 to 1991: [[Hungry Jack's]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101969742|title=Hungry Jacks put $1.22m into NBL|date=15 Jan 1988|work=[[The Canberra Times]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122391084|title=Mitsubishi to sponsor NBL|date=16 Nov 1991|work=[[The Canberra Times]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref>
* 1992 to 2001–02: [[Mitsubishi Motors Australia|Mitsubishi]]<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-lines-up-a-new-naming-rights-sponsor-20030716-gdw1zv.html|title=NBL lines up a new naming-rights sponsor|date=16 Jul 2003|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref>
* 2002–03 to 2003–04: none
* 2004–05 to 2006–07: [[Philips]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-09-08/nbl-signs-naming-rights-sponsor/2040426|title=NBL signs naming rights sponsor|date=8 Sep 2004|website=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/basketball/sponsorship-hike-forces-out-philips-20070318-ge4gaq.html|title=Sponsorship hike forces out Philips|last=Howell|first=Stephen|date=18 Mar 2007|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref>
* 2007–08: [[Hummer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motoring.com.au/hummer-bounces-in-on-nbl-5089/|title=Hummer bounces in on NBL|last=McCormick|first=Melissa|date=19 Sep 2007|website=Motoring|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-11-08/nbl-to-undergo-massive-overhaul/198968|title=NBL to undergo massive overhaul|date=8 Nov 2008|website=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref>
* 2008–09 to 2009–10: none
* 2010–11 to 2012–13: [[iiNet]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/the_nbl_scores_iinet_sponsorship|title=The NBL scores iiNet sponsorship|last=Long|first=Michael|date=13 Sep 2010|website=SportsPro|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-search-on-for-major-sponsorship-20130919-2u2g5.html|title=NBL search on for major sponsorship|last=Ward|first=Roy|date=19 Sep 2013|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref>
* 2013–14 to 2016–17: none
* 2017–18 to present: Hungry Jack's<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-sign-new-namingrights-sponsor-as-season-tips-off-20171004-gyu87u.html|title=NBL sign new naming-rights sponsor as season tips off|last=Ward|first=Roy|date=4 Oct 2017|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=25 Feb 2019}}</ref>

=== Media coverage ===
National television broadcasting rights are as follows:{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}} While the [[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC]] had exclusive national broadcasting rights from 1979 to 1987, other television stations around the country (usually those affiliated with either the [[Seven Network]] or [[Network 10|Network Ten]]) would broadcast their local teams to their state markets once the sport gained popularity. For example, in the mid-1980s the [[Adelaide 36ers]] and [[Brisbane Bullets]] home games were shown in [[Adelaide]] and [[Brisbane]] by Network Ten stations [[SAS (TV station)|SAS]] and [[TVQ|TV0]] respectively.

In 2015, [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]] secured a 5-year deal for the Australian broadcasting rights of all games, starting with the [[2015–16 NBL season|2015–16]] season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Adrian|title=NBL fans to get boost in live coverage after five-year deal with Fox Sports|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-inks-fiveyear-deal-with-fox-sports-20150903-gjec16.html|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=3 September 2015|access-date=3 September 2015}}</ref> In addition, for the 2015–16 season [[Nine Network]] secured one weekly match (every Sunday afternoon) for FTA.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pryde|first=Scott|title=Update: NBL secures free-to-air deal with Nine Network to show Sunday afternoon games|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/10/06/nbl-secures-free-to-air-deal-with-nine-network/|work=The Roar|date=6 October 2015|access-date=6 October 2015}}</ref> In 2016, [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]] secured the exclusive free-to-air rights for the [[2016–17 NBL season|2016–17 season]], broadcasting and streaming online one Sunday match live each week.<ref>{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=SBS secures Free to Air rights to weekly NBL match|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/09/sbs-secures-free-to-air-right-to-weekly-nbl-match.html|work=TV Tonight|date=28 September 2016|access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://decidertv.com/page/2016/9/28/sbs-signs-new-tv-broadcast-deal-for-national-basketball-league-sbs-nbl|title=SBS signs new TV broadcast deal for National Basketball League|last=Perry|first=Kevin|date=28 September 2016|work=DeciderTV|access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> In the 2017–18 Season, SBS broadcast 2 games live, one on Saturday and another on Sunday, while ABC broadcast a Friday night game on delay at 11pm. In 2021, the NBL signed a three-year deal with [[ESPN Australia|ESPN]], [[Foxtel]], [[Kayo Sports]] and [[News Corp]], with every game broadcast on ESPN and Kayo Sports, and selected games broadcast with the NBL's free-to-air partner [[10 Peach]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NBL Achieves History-Making Media Deal|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-achieves-history-making-media-deal|website=NBL.com.au|access-date=27 July 2021|date=27 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Network 10 Becomes NBL Free-to-Air Partner|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/network-10-becomes-nbl-free-to-air-partner|website=NBL.com.au|access-date=19 August 2021|date=19 August 2021}}</ref>

In August 2022, [[FanDuel TV]] announced they had acquired the broadcast rights to the NBL in the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=TVG Network To Be Rebranded As FanDuel TV |url=https://paulickreport.com/horseplayers-category/tvg-network-to-be-rebranded-as-fanduel-tv/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=www.paulickreport.com |date=25 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The entire 2023–24 season will be carried on [[ESPN3]] and the [[ESPN]] App in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=ESPN to beam NBL into USA|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/espn-to-beam-nbl-into-usa|website=NBL.com.au|access-date=8 October 2023|date=28 September 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
|-
! style="width:55px;" rowspan="2"|Year
! style="width:200px;" colspan="2"|Australia
! style="width:200px;" colspan="2"|New Zealand
|-
! style="width:100px;"|Free TV
! style="width:100px;"|Pay TV
! style="width:100px;"|Free TV
! style="width:100px;"|Pay TV
|-
!1979
|rowspan=2|[[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC]]
|rowspan=5|
|rowspan=9|
|rowspan=8|
|-
!1987
|-
!1988
|rowspan=2|[[Seven Network]]
|-
!1991
|-
!1992
|rowspan=3|[[Network 10|Network Ten]]
|-
!1995
|rowspan=6|[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]
|-
!1997
|-
!1998
|rowspan=2|[[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC]]
|-
!2001
|rowspan=2|[[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]]
|-
!2007
|[[Nine Network]]
|rowspan=2|[[Whakaata Māori|Māori Television]]
|-
!2010
|rowspan=3|[[Network 10|Network Ten]]<br />[[10 Bold|One]]
|
|-
!2011
|
| rowspan="10" |
| rowspan="10" |[[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]]
|-
!2015
| rowspan="5" |[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]
|-
!2016
|[[Nine Network]]
|-
!2017
|[[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]]
|-
!2018
|[[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]]<br />[[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC]]
|-
!2019
|[[Nine Network]]<br />[[9Go!]]
|-
!2020
|[[SBS (Australian TV channel)|SBS]]<br />[[SBS Viceland]]<br />[[National Indigenous Television|NITV]]
| rowspan="7" |[[ESPN Australia|ESPN]]/[[Kayo Sports|Kayo]]
|-
!2021
| rowspan="3" |[[10 Peach]]
|-
!2022
|-
!2023
|-
!2024
|[[Network 10]]<br />[[10 Bold Drama]]
|[[TVNZ+]]
|[[ESPN Australia|ESPN]]/[[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]]
|-
!2025
|[[Network 10]]<br />
|[[TVNZ+]]
|[[ESPN Australia|ESPN]]/[[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]]
|}

=== Squad formation and salary cap ===
[[File:Cairns Taipans 2019–20 season.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Cairns Taipans]] players in late 2019]]

Most teams have historically featured at least one and usually two American imports. Currently, teams are limited to having three imports (i.e., non-Australasians) on the roster at any one time; NBL initiatives in recent years have added two roster slots that may be filled by imports without counting against the three-import limit. Some of these players have moved to Australia permanently and become Australian citizens; a few including [[Cal Bruton]], [[Mark Davis (basketball, born 1960)|Mark Davis]], [[Leroy Loggins]] and [[Ricky Grace]] have even played for the Australian national team (under a [[FIBA]] rule that allows one naturalised player to compete for a national team).

The NBL's salary cap for the 2006–07 season was {{AUD}}776,000, and increased to {{AUD}}810,000 for the 2007–08 season; the cap rose for two consecutive years due to the continued growth of the NBL. The salary cap rose {{AUD}}1,000,000 for the 2009–10 season. The cap remains at {{AUD}}1,000,000 for the 2012–13 season.<ref name="nbl-salarycap">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/salary-cap-player-points|title=Salary Cap/Player Points|work=NBL.com.au|access-date=5 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211031456/http://www.nbl.com.au/salary-cap-player-points|archive-date=11 February 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

For the 2016–17 season, the salary cap was changed from a {{AUD}}1,000,000 ‘hard cap’ to a {{AUD}}1,100,000 ‘soft cap’. Teams may exceed the soft cap provided that they pay a salary equalisation subsidy based on the extent to which they have exceeded the cap. In addition, player values for purposes of the salary cap are not based on the salary submitted to the NBL, but are determined by a special NBL panel. The cap regulations also mandate that teams distribute their salaries so that at least one group of five players has a collective cap value of no more than {{AUD}}400,000. Both cap numbers (the soft cap and the 5-player aggregate cap) have increased since then, based on average NBL salaries.<ref name="nbl.com.au">{{cite press release|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/nbl-announces-changes-to-player-contract-salary-rules/|title=NBL announces changes to player contract & salary rules|publisher=National Basketball League|date=30 March 2016|access-date=7 August 2018|archive-date=22 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722154256/http://www.nbl.com.au/featured-news/nbl-announces-changes-to-player-contract-salary-rules/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 9 May 2014, to help attract high-calibre imports or offer financial incentive for local stars considering overseas opportunities, the NBL introduced a marquee player rule, in which a team can nominate one player whose salary is paid outside the cap, with a 25% Marquee Player levy applied to any payment made above the salary cap.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/lkin9ku730qr138bw2cx4l6iz |title=Archived copy|access-date=2017-06-27|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108084347/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/lkin9ku730qr138bw2cx4l6iz|archive-date=8 January 2015|df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1lq35tllwbh751od46t481bey9 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-06-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108084204/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1lq35tllwbh751od46t481bey9|archive-date=8 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> For the 2016–17 season, the value was modified so that if the marquee player is a "non-restricted" player (explained below), only the first $150,000 of that player's salary will be counted toward that team's salary cap.<ref name="nbl.com.au"/>

NBL legend [[Andrew Gaze]] has pointed to these changes being instrumental to the improvement of NBL and its Australian players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aussiehoopla.com/andrew-gaze-nbl-podcast|title=Aussie NBL players will have to "get better" according to Andrew Gaze|website=www.aussiehoopla.com|date=28 February 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref>

Also effective in 2016–17, the number of import roster slots was increased from two to three, and each team was allowed (but not required) to have one player from a [[FIBA Asia]] or [[FIBA Oceania]] country other than Australia or New Zealand on its roster who would not be counted against the import limit. Since then, the NBL has used the term "non-restricted" to describe all players signed as locals, including Asian/Oceanic players signed under the regional initiative.<ref name="nbl.com.au"/> With this change, many of the best Asian-born players were expected to seek NBL contracts, as teams can now recruit them and play them as locals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/japans-makoto-hiejima-signs-with-brisbane-bullets-under-nbls-asian-player-rule/news-story/5e6c5185d1cfee581db2eddca2bca05b|title=Japan's Makoto Hiejima signs with Brisbane Bullets under NBL's Asian Player rule|date=2 August 2018}}</ref>

In 2020, the NBL reduced the number of imports per club from 3 to 2.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wildie|first1=Tom|title=Bryce Cotton quits the Perth Wildcats after NBL imposes coronavirus salary cuts|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-30/bryce-cotton-quits-perth-wildcats-after-nbl-salary-cuts/12201608|website=ABC News |date=30 April 2020|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref>

The maximum length of NBL player contracts is three years.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Garlepp|first1=Josh|title=Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson voices frustrations with NBL and ABPA agreement rather than Bryce Cotton|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/nbl/perth-wildcats-coach-trevor-gleeson-voices-frustrations-with-nbl-and-abpa-agreement-rather-than-bryce-cotton-ng-b881535759z |website=Perth Now|date=May 2020|access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref> The 2020–21 NBL salary cap has been set at $US 1,227,930, with one marquee 'local' player (including players with Asian or Oceania passports) and traditional imports exempt from the salary cap. Next Stars may also be exempt.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Uluc|first1=Olgun |title=Flurry of NBL signings gets ball rolling|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/31734533/nbl-mitch-mccarron-sign-adelaide-36ers-three-year-deal|website=ESPN.com|access-date=14 July 2021|date=29 June 2021}}</ref>

The salary cap will increase by another seven percent in the [[2024–25 NBL season|2024–25 season]] to $1,947,662.58, making a fourteen percent jump since [[2022–23 NBL season|2022–23 season]], a $244,423 uplift.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-players-earn-big-pay-jump|title=NBL players earn big pay jump|website=NBL.com.au|date=9 April 2024|access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>

The salary floor (the minimum each team must spend) sits at $1,752,913.85.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/39903010/nbl-salary-cap-rises-maximum-amount-2024-25-season|title=NBL salary cap rises for 2024-25 season|website=ESPN.com.au|date=8 April 2024|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>

==== Next Stars Program ====
On 2 March 2018, the NBL announced the "Next Stars" initiative which would launch with the NBL's 2018–19 season. The scheme is designed to provide young elite overseas players, mainly Americans (who are currently [[Eligibility for the NBA draft|barred from the NBA draft]] until one year out of secondary school), as well as Australians and New Zealanders considering U.S. college basketball, with a professional option immediately out of secondary school.<ref name=starslaunch>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/nbl-launches-next-stars-program-targeting-potential-oneanddone-athletes/news-story/b448cd87c44396ace425de70777954be|title=NBL launches 'Next Stars' program, targeting potential one-and-done athletes|first=Olgun|last=Uluc|publisher=[[Fox Sports (Australia)]]|date=2 March 2018|access-date=5 March 2018}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/19/nbl-season-2024-rocco-zikarsky-alex-toohey-next-stars|title='100 calls a week': NBL retains Australian talent despite strong US college interest|first=Snape|last=Jack|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=19 September 2024|access-date=22 September 2024}}
</ref>

Each team received one additional import roster slot intended for a "Next Star" player. Players who will be part of the scheme will be selected by a special NBL panel and, should they accept the NBL's offer, be contracted directly by the NBL and placed into an allocation pool to be distributed among the NBL's teams. The chosen players will receive a salary of at least {{AUD}}100,000, as well as a car, apartment, and flights home during NBL breaks. The scheme was funded for the first season by the NBL, meaning that "Next Star" players will not count against the salary cap. Finally, under current rules, the NBA allows its teams to spend up to {{USD}}700,000 to buy players out of professional contracts in non-North American leagues; should a "Next Star" be bought out by an NBA team (or by a team in another overseas league), the buyout amount will be split between the team and the NBL.<ref name=starslaunch/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22594625/how-australian-basketball-targeting-one-dones-nba-draft|title=How Australian basketball is targeting one-and-dones|first=Jonathan|last=Givony|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=1 March 2018|access-date=5 March 2018}}</ref>

In April 2024, the NBL appointed [[NBA]] legend [[Kenny Smith]], as Head of Next Stars’ Player Initiatives (North America) for its Next Stars program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/39872265/nba-champion-kenny-smith-appointed-nbl-next-stars-ambassador|title=Kenny Smith appointed NBL Next Stars ambassador|website=ESPN.com.au|date=5 April 2024|access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref> In June 2024, [[Carmelo Anthony]] joined the NBL’s Next Stars program as a Global Ambassador. The appointment will also see Anthony join the ownership group of a future NBL expansion team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/carmelo-anthony-nbl-next-stars-nba-all-star-ambassador/d503b0e976047579646140dd|title=Carmelo Anthony joins NBL Next Stars: Former NBA All-Star signs on as league ambassador and future owner|website=SportingNews.com|date=4 June 2024|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/40268505/nba-legend-carmelo-anthony-joins-nbl-next-stars-program-global-ambassador|title=Carmelo Anthony joins NBL's Next Stars program as a Global Ambassador|website=ESPN.com.au|date=4 June 2024|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>

The first player signed to a Next Star contract was American [[Brian Bowen]], who signed on 7 August 2018 and was assigned to the Sydney Kings.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.sydneykings.com/news/article/38851-38851-2|title=Sydney Kings unveil Next Star Brian Bowen|publisher=Sydney Kings|date=7 August 2018|access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref> As of July 2024, three players from the Next Stars Program have become top ten NBA draft picks: [[LaMelo Ball]] (third in [[2020 NBA draft|2020]]), [[Josh Giddey]] (sixth in [[2021 NBA draft|2021]]), and [[Alex Sarr]] (second in [[2024 NBA draft|2024]]).<ref name=sarrsyear>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-02/nba-draft-alex-sarr-journey-perth-wilcats-washington-wizards/104035606|title=How Alex Sarr's year with Perth Wildcats prepared him for the NBA as NBL Next Stars program's latest win|website=ABC News|date=2 July 2024|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> The 2024 NBA draft also saw four Next Stars players be drafted in total.<ref name=sarrsyear/>

=== Uniforms ===
Since the [[2020–21 NBL season|2020–21 season]], [[Champion (sportswear)|Champion]] has supplied the uniforms for all teams in the NBL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Champion Signs up as NBL On-Court Apparel Partner {{!}} NBL |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/champion-signs-up-as-nbl-on-court-apparel-partner |website=nbl.com.au |language=en |access-date=21 June 2020 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404194724/https://nbl.com.au/news/champion-signs-up-as-nbl-on-court-apparel-partner |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== City Round ====
With the introduction of [[First Ever]] as uniform supplier in 2018, the NBL announced the "City" round. During this annual round, all teams wear limited edition jerseys which are specific to the city of their team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Themed Jerseys Launch for Hungry Jack's NBL Make-A-Wish Round |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/article/themed-jerseys-launch-for-hungry-jacks-nbl-make-a-wish-round |website=nbl.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

==== Indigenous Round ====
In December 2018, the Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings wore Indigenous based jerseys to celebrate "the rich Indigenous culture within basketball as a whole."<ref>{{cite web |title=Hawks to celebrate Indigenous Culture |url=http://www.hawks.com.au/news/article/hawks-to-celebrate-indigenous-culture |website=www.hawks.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

After this successful launch, the NBL announced that in the [[2019–20 NBL season|2019–20 season]] all teams would be competing in an Indigenous round.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBL to introduce Indigenous Round for 2019-20 season |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nbl/nbl-to-introduce-indigenous-round-for-201920-season/news-story/dd2cb61e5528cbac8e764193f4586cf8 |website=Fox Sports |language=en-AU |date=18 December 2018}}</ref>

== Honours ==
=== List of champions ===
{{Main|List of NBL champions}}
[[File:2016-17 NBL championship trophy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|2016–17 Championship trophy]]
The [[Perth Wildcats]] have the most championships with 10 [[NBL Finals]] wins.<ref name="nbl history"/> [[Melbourne United]] and the [[Sydney Kings]] have the second- and third-most, respectively, with six and five titles.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Overview of NBL champions
!scope="col"|Teams
!scope="col"|Win
!scope="col"|Loss
!scope="col"|Total
!scope="col"|Year(s) won
!scope="col"|Year(s) runner-up
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Perth Wildcats]]
|10||6||16|| style="text-align:left" |[[1990 NBL Finals|1990]], [[1991 NBL Finals|1991]], [[1995 NBL Finals|1995]], [[2000 NBL Finals|2000]], [[2010 NBL Finals|2010]], [[2014 NBL Finals|2014]], [[2016 NBL Finals|2016]], [[2017 NBL Finals|2017]], [[2019 NBL Finals|2019]], [[2020 NBL Finals|2020]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1987 NBL Finals|1987]], [[1993 NBL Finals|1993]], [[2003 NBL Finals|2003]], [[2012 NBL Finals|2012]], [[2013 NBL Finals|2013]], [[2021 NBL Finals|2021]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Melbourne United]]
|6||7||13|| style="text-align:left" |[[1993 NBL Finals|1993]], [[1997 NBL Finals|1997]], [[2006 NBL Finals|2006]], [[2008 NBL Finals|2008]], [[2018 NBL Finals|2018]], [[2021 NBL Finals|2021]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1992 NBL Finals|1992]], [[1996 NBL Finals|1996]], [[2007 NBL Finals|2007]], [[2009 NBL Finals|2009]], [[2019 NBL Finals|2019]], [[2024 NBL Finals|2024]], [[2025 NBL Finals|2025]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Sydney Kings]]
|5||3||8|| style="text-align:left" |[[2003 NBL Finals|2003]], [[2004 NBL Finals|2004]], [[2005 NBL Finals|2005]], [[2022 NBL Finals|2022]], [[2023 NBL Finals|2023]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[2006 NBL Finals|2006]], [[2008 NBL Finals|2008]], [[2020 NBL Finals|2020]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Adelaide 36ers]]
|4||4||8|| style="text-align:left" |[[1986 NBL Finals|1986]], [[1998 NBL Finals|1998]], [[1999 NBL Finals|1999]], [[2002 NBL Finals|2002]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1985 NBL Finals|1985]], [[1994 NBL Finals|1994]], [[2014 NBL Finals|2014]], [[2018 NBL Finals|2018]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[New Zealand Breakers]]
|4||2||6|| style="text-align:left" |[[2011 NBL Finals|2011]], [[2012 NBL Finals|2012]], [[2013 NBL Finals|2013]], [[2015 NBL Finals|2015]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[2016 NBL Finals|2016]], [[2023 NBL Finals|2023]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Brisbane Bullets]]
|3||3||6|| style="text-align:left" |[[1985 NBL Finals|1985]], [[1987 NBL Finals|1987]], [[2007 NBL Finals|2007]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1984 NBL Finals|1984]], [[1986 NBL Finals|1986]], [[1990 NBL Finals|1990]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Canberra Cannons]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 2003)}}
|3||2||5|| style="text-align:left" |[[1983 NBL Finals|1983]], [[1984 NBL Finals|1984]], [[1988 NBL Finals|1988]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1979 NBL Finals|1979]], [[1989 NBL Finals|1989]]
|-
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" |[[Illawarra Hawks]] 
|2||3||5|| style="text-align:left" |[[2001 NBL Finals|2001]], [[2025 NBL Finals|2025]] || style="text-align:left" |[[2005 NBL Finals|2005]], [[2010 NBL Finals|2010]], [[2017 NBL Finals|2017]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[North Melbourne Giants]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 1998)}}
|2||2||4|| style="text-align:left" |[[1989 NBL Finals|1989]], [[1994 NBL Finals|1994]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1988 NBL Finals|1988]], [[1995 NBL Finals|1995]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[S.E. Melbourne Magic]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 1998)}}
|2||2||4|| style="text-align:left" |[[1992 NBL Finals|1992]], [[1996 NBL Finals|1996]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1997 NBL Finals|1997]], [[1998 NBL Finals|1998]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Southern Melbourne Saints]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 1991)}}
|2||0||2|| style="text-align:left" |[[1979 NBL Finals|1979]], [[1980 NBL Finals|1980]] ||—
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[West Adelaide Bearcats]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 1984)}}
|1||2||3|| style="text-align:left" |[[1982 NBL Finals|1982]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[1980 NBL Finals|1980]], [[1983 NBL Finals|1983]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Tasmania JackJumpers]] 
|1||1||2|| style="text-align:left" |[[2024 NBL Finals|2024]] ||style="text-align:left"|[[2022 NBL Finals|2022]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Launceston Casino City]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 1983)}}
|1||0||1|| style="text-align:left" |[[1981 NBL Finals|1981]] ||—
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[South Dragons]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 2009)}}
|1||0||1|| style="text-align:left" |[[2009 NBL Finals|2009]] ||—
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Cairns Taipans]]
|0||2||2||— || style="text-align:left" |[[2011 NBL Finals|2011]], [[2015 NBL Finals|2015]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Nunawading Spectres|Eastside Spectres]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 1991)}}
|0||2||2||— || style="text-align:left" |[[1981 NBL Finals|1981]], [[1991 NBL Finals|1991]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Victoria Titans]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 2004)}}
|0||2||2||— || style="text-align:left" |[[1999 NBL Finals|1999]], [[2000 NBL Finals|2000]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[West Sydney Razorbacks]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 2009)}}
|0||2||2||— || style="text-align:left" |[[2002 NBL Finals|2002]], [[2004 NBL Finals|2004]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Geelong Supercats|Geelong Cats]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 1996)}}
|0||1||1||— || style="text-align:left" |[[1982 NBL Finals|1982]]
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Townsville Crocodiles]] {{small|([[List of defunct National Basketball League (Australia) teams|folded]] in 2016)}}
|0||1||1||— || style="text-align:left" |[[2001 NBL Finals|2001]]
|}

Current teams that have no [[NBL Finals]] appearances:
* [[S.E. Melbourne Phoenix]]

=== Regular season champions ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Overview of League champions
!scope="col"|Teams
!scope="col"|Titles
!scope="col"|Winning seasons
!scope="col"|Last season title
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Melbourne United]]
|7
| style="text-align:left" |1994, 1996, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2024
|2024
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Sydney Kings]]
|7
| style="text-align:left" |2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2020, 2023
|2023
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Adelaide 36ers]]
|6
| style="text-align:left" |1986, 1987, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2017 
|2017
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Perth Wildcats]]
|6
| style="text-align:left" |1991, 1993, 1995, 2010, 2014, 2019
|2019
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Brisbane Bullets]]
|3
| style="text-align:left" |1984, 1985, 2007 
|2007
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[New Zealand Breakers]]
|3
| style="text-align:left" |2011, 2012, 2013
|2013
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[S.E. Melbourne Magic]]<sup>†</sup>
|3
| style="text-align:left" |1992, 1997, 1998
|1998
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Southern Melbourne Saints]]<sup>†</sup>
|3
| style="text-align:left" |1979, 1980, 1981
|1981
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Geelong Supercats]]<sup>*</sup>
|2
| style="text-align:left" |1983, 1984
|1984
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Victoria Titans]]<sup>†</sup>
|2
| style="text-align:left" |2001, 2002  
|2002 
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Cairns Taipans]]
|1
| style="text-align:left" |2015
|2015
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Canberra Cannons]]<sup>†</sup>
|1
| style="text-align:left" |1989  
|1989
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Illawarra Hawks]]
|1
| style="text-align:left" |2025
|2025
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[North Melbourne Giants]]<sup>†</sup>
|1
| style="text-align:left" |1990  
|1990
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[South Dragons]]<sup>†</sup>
|1
| style="text-align:left" |2009
|2009
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Sydney Supersonics]]<sup>†</sup>
|1
| style="text-align:left" |1983 
|1983
|-
|scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[West Adelaide Bearcats]]
|1
| style="text-align:left" |1982  
|1982
|-
!scope="row"colspan=4 style="text-align:left"|{{small|<sup>†</sup>Defunct club.<br /><sup>*</sup> Former club, now competes in [[NBL1]].}}
|}

{{small|''Note: In 1983 and 1984, the NBL was split into Eastern and Western divisions during the regular season.''}}

=== Hall of Fame ===
{{Main|Australian Basketball Hall of Fame}}

The NBL Hall of Fame was instituted by the NBL in 1998 as part of their 20th season celebrations, to recognise the outstanding players, coaches, referees and contributors to the NBL. In 2010, the NBL Hall of Fame united with the [[Basketball Australia]] Hall of Fame to create the '''Australian Basketball Hall of Fame'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-hq/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall of Fame|work=NBL.com.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818035232/http://www.nbl.com.au/nbl-hq/hall-of-fame/|archive-date=18 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://basketball.net.au/fileadmin/user_upload/BAHOF/Current_ABF_NBL_Hall_of_Famers_March_2010.pdf|title=CURRENT BA/NBL HALL OF FAME MEMBERS (MARCH 2010)|work=basketball.net.au|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212190311/http://basketball.net.au/fileadmin/user_upload/BAHOF/Current_ABF_NBL_Hall_of_Famers_March_2010.pdf|archive-date=12 December 2010}}</ref>

To be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, NBL candidates must have fulfilled the following criteria:

* '''Players''' must have made an outstanding contribution to the NBL, have been retired for a minimum of four seasons, and have played 100 NBL games or more.
* '''Coaches''' must have made an outstanding contribution to the NBL, have been retired for at least four seasons, and have been an NBL head coach for 10 seasons or more.
* '''Referees''' must have made an outstanding contribution to the NBL and have been retired for at least four seasons.
* '''Contributors''' must have made an outstanding contribution to the NBL, and may be elected at any time.

=== Awards ===
{{Main|List of National Basketball League (Australia) awards}}

* [[NBL (Australia) 25th Anniversary Team|25th Anniversary Team]] (2003)
* [[NBL (Australia) 20th Anniversary Team|20th Anniversary Team]] (1998)
* [[NBL Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]]
* [[NBL Grand Final Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player – Grand Final]]
* [[NBL Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year]]
* [[NBL Next Generation Award|Next Generation Award]]
* [[NBL Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] (defunct)
* [[NBL Most Improved Player Award|Most Improved Player]]
* [[NBL Best Defensive Player Award|Best Defensive Player]]
* [[NBL Best Sixth Man Award|Best Sixth Man]]
* [[NBL Good Hands Award|Good Hands Award]] (defunct)
* [[NBL Most Efficient Player Award|Most Efficient Player]] (defunct)
* [[All-NBL Team]]
* [[List of National Basketball League (Australia) annual scoring leaders|Scoring champions]]

==Road trips==
'''''Doomsday Double'''''<br />
The Doomsday Double, involving a road trip to play the [[Adelaide 36ers]] and [[Perth Wildcats]] during the same round, has occurred 141 times as at the end of the [[2010–11 NBL season|2010–11 season]]. Only four teams have won both legs of the trip, played either on consecutive nights or on a Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Due to the long time success rate of both the 36ers and Wildcats, the Double has long been considered the toughest two games in one weekend road trip in the NBL. The Doomsday Double was given its name by [[Australian Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Cal Bruton]] during its early days when the trip was a game in Perth on the Friday night followed by Adelaide the following night or vice versa.

'''''Sunshine Swing'''''<br />
Similar to the Doomsday Double, the Sunshine Swing pits teams against an away double or even triple game schedule against opponents from the state of [[Queensland]], in the same round. The most frequent combinations have featured the [[Brisbane Bullets]]/[[Gold Coast Rollers (NBL)|Gold Coast Rollers]] or [[Cairns Taipans]]/[[Townsville Crocodiles]] double. Other variants include [[Brisbane Bullets]]/[[Cairns Taipans]] (current version), [[Brisbane Bullets]]/[[Townsville Crocodiles]] and the [[Brisbane Bullets]]/[[Cairns Taipans]]/[[Townsville Crocodiles]] triple.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}}

== NBLxNBA==
{{Main|NBLxNBA}}

[[NBLxNBA]] is a series involving clubs from the NBL and the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) of [[Northern America]]. The series started in 2017 for each organisation's 2017–18 season, and each season includes between two and seven games. The games have always been held in the U.S. and [[Canada]], and typically are held during September and early October.

On 11 March 2025, the [[National Basketball Association]] and the [[Victoria State Government]] announced that the [[2025–26 New Orleans Pelicans season|New Orleans Pelicans]] would play two exhibition games at [[Rod Laver Arena]] in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] against [[2025–26 Melbourne United season|Melbourne United]] and the [[2025–26 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix season|S.E. Melbourne Phoenix]] as part of the [[NBAxNBL: Melbourne Series]].<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Pelicans to play two NBL teams in 1st NBA games in Australia|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-australia-melbourne-games|publisher=[[National Basketball Association]]|access-date=24 June 2025|date=11 March 2025}}</ref> This will mark the first time an NBA team has played in Australia, and the first time that the S.E. Melbourne Phoenix have played against an NBA team.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Uluc|first1=Olgun|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/43722846/sources-nba-bring-exhibition-games-melbourne|title=Sources: NBA to bring exhibition games to Melbourne|publisher=[[ESPN Australia]]|date=7 February 2025|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref>

== NBL All-Star Game ==
{{Main|NBL All-Star Game (Australia)}}

The NBL All-Star Game is an event that was first contested in 1982 by East and West teams. It was revived in 1988 when North and South teams competed. This match was played annually until 1997. In [[2003–04 NBL season|2003–04 season]] the concept was revived with an east–west match being held in Melbourne. The following season saw a change of format, with a local team (Aussie All-Stars) playing an imports team (World All-Stars). This was discontinued after the [[2007–08 NBL season|2007–08 season]]. The concept was revived in 2012 with an All-Star game between North and South that was scheduled for December 2012.<ref name="nbl-allstarreturn">{{cite web | url=http://www.adelaide36ers.com/article/id/1c9e543thm7s01tdgr8m4xskvx | title=NBL Brings Basketball All-Stars to Adelaide | work=NBL.com.au | date=26 October 2012 | access-date=22 October 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060603/http://www.adelaide36ers.com/article/id/1c9e543thm7s01tdgr8m4xskvx | archive-date=23 October 2013 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia|Basketball}}
* [[Basketball Australia]]
* [[Basketball in Australia]]
* [[List of attendance figures at domestic professional sports leagues]] – the NBL in a worldwide context
* [[List of National Basketball League (Australia) venues]]
* [[NBL (Australia) All-time Records|NBL All-time Records]]
* [[NBL1]]
* [[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|New Zealand National Basketball League]] (NZNBL)
* [[Women's National Basketball League]] (WNBL)

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.nbl.com.au/}}
* [http://australia.basketball/ Basketball Australia official website]
* [https://nbl.com.au/pages/stats-hub Official NBL All-Time Stats] at NBL Insider
* [https://www.spatialjam.com/nbl-historical-stats NBL Historical Stats] at SpatialJam.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000902223210/http://www.nbl.com.au/inside_nbl/0,2343,history,FF.htm NBL History 1979–1999]

{{NBL}}
{{NBL seasons}}
{{NBLdefunct}}
{{Basketball in Australia}}
{{Men's professional basketball leagues}}
{{Sports leagues of Australia}}

[[Category:National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League (NBL)]]
[[Category:Basketball leagues in Australia]]
[[Category:Basketball leagues in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Professional sports leagues in Australia]]
[[Category:Professional sports leagues in New Zealand]]
[[Category:1979 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1979]]
[[Category:Multi-national sports leagues]]