It's been 24 years since Tasmania had an Australian national basketball team but NBL owner Larry Kestelman is continuing his push with the state's support.
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Tasmania's last NBL side, the Hobart Devils, competed in the 1995 competition before financial difficulties forced them out of the league the following year.
More than 10,000 people have already registered their support for a Tasmanian NBL side at www.nbltas.com.au.
Under the proposed plan, Mr Kestleman would operate the team in its opening seasons with hopes to join the NBL in time for the 2020-21 season.
For the venture to go ahead the state government would need to provide an undisclosed amount of money to upgrade the Derwent Entertainment Centre and ongoing financial support. This week, Mr Kestleman continued his push and said adding the 10th side to the league would deliver significant economic benefits.
"People right across Tasmania have spoken, they want a team in the NBL and we want to give them one. We have enjoyed very positive discussions with the state government but this opportunity won't last forever," he said.
"With its support, we look forward to delivering the people of Tasmania a team they can be proud of."
If the side is established, it would become only Tasmania's third sporting team competing in an Australian national competition after the Hobart Hurricanes/Tasmanian Tigers in cricket and the Tassie Tigers in hockey.
An NBL Tasmania Advisory Board was formed earlier this year ahead of the competition's Blitz, where games were played in Launceston, Devonport, Ulverstone, Kingston and Hobart in September.
The board was formed to help push the sport forward and test the venture, with members supporting the idea of creating an NBL side as the league grows.
Tasmania Tourism Industry Council chief executive officer Luke Martin and board member said he would push to make sure a couple of games were played in Launceston each season.
"It's not like the AFL or other leagues where we have to fight for a license, this guy owns the league and is offering us a license essentially," he said.
"That's the difference to...other competitions that have dashed our hopes time and time again.
"If we don't seize the chance right now I think you can pretty much shut the door on the NBL forever."
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Mr Martin said there would be a direct economic benefit if games were played in the North to add extra events to the calendar in between MONA FOMA and Festivale.
"These opportunities do not present very often, we've been crying out as a state for more national sporting representation, we deserve it," he said. "If we can't support the case for an NBL team then frankly I wonder if it's worth talking about other sports because they're not going to be as easy as this one."
Basketball Tasmania chief executive officer and TAB member Chris McCoy said an NBL opportunity was very exciting for the sport.
"It'll be great exposure for our state, great for our sport, the boys and girls such as what is here [training at Elphin] today it'll inspire them to go to next levels whether it's the NBL, the WNBL or further," he said.
"It'll help with the standard at all levels - we're busy building our structures and developing our players increasing our participation rates and the sport has been really strong on the back of basketball at grassroots being strong.
"The NBL over the past few years under Larry Kestelman's control has gone from strength to strength and the WNBL is still very strong."
Launceston Tornadoes chairperson Janie Finlay said the venture would be good for the entire state and would support the sport's push for better facilities in the North.
She said it would also ensure support and pathways for up and coming players.
"It's fantastic for Northern Tasmania for the grassroots pathways - there's never been a more exciting time for basketball, greater momentum or greater growth.
"Larry wants to make it the number one sport in Tasmania and that's completely possible, we've got so much skill at the moment.
"If we secure the NBL, Larry and the NBL will over-invest in making it possible to have games in the North.
"That's something that he need not do because financially it probably doesn't make sense, but he wants to because he wants it to be a team for Tasmania."