THE NBL has taken its first official step toward expansion, with licensing being awarded for a new team.

The location is yet to be determined, but Romie Chaudhari, the co-owner of EFL Championship Club Swansea City who’s the recipient of the license, will work with the NBL to select the most appropriate part of the country to build the new club.

The new team will join the NBL by the 2019-20 season, with the likes of Melbourne, NSW, the Gold Coast, and Tasmania among the locations that will be considered.

“This is an exciting day for the NBL and Australian basketball,” NBL CEO, Jeremy Loeliger, said.

“Romie is not only an enormously successful businessman but also a passionate and knowledgeable student of the sport.

“He has identified the NBL is on a massive growth trajectory and his decision to invest in an expansion club is a huge endorsement of the NBL and reinforces the league is one of the best in the world.

“We will now work with him to identify the most suitable location for the new team but we’ve already had huge interest from around the country as we look to meet demand and growing interest in the game.”

Larry Kestelman, the owner and Executive Director of the NBL, pointed to multiple things that would act as a litmus test, of sorts, when deciding the new location.

“Participation, attendance and interest in the sport is booming as was shown yet again with the recent announcement that five NBL teams will play seven games in the forthcoming NBA season,” Kestelman said.

“A big part of the decision making process about where we locate the new team will be ensuring it has access to world class training and facilities that are up to NBL standards.”

Chaudhari is a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur who is Chief Executive and Managing Partner of Chiron Investments, and, in 2016, became a co-owner, director, and board member of Swansea City.

“The NBL is enjoying massive growth and connecting with fans worldwide and it is a privilege to be a part of this exciting time by bringing a new team to the league,” Chaudhari said.

“I see the NBL as one of the premier leagues in the world and a global entertainment product watched by fans around the world.

“Being a lifetime fan and player, I have a passion for basketball and my positive experiences with team ownership in cities where a particular sport is the lifeblood of the local community led me to this opportunity with the NBL.

“Wherever we end up locating this team, I want it to unify and represent the community and help build a world class team fans can be proud of. The NBL is coming off a record season in attendance, broadcast audiences and corporate support and there couldn’t be a better time to be involved in Australian basketball.”

Kestelman and the NBL have previously stated their desire to have a second Melbourne team in the league, with multiple AFL teams having showed early interest. Tasmania is also expected to make a significant push for a team in the NBL.

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Olgun Uluc covers basketball for Fox Sports Australia. Twitter: @OlgunUluc