Easy Gibbo, then bubbles ...

Want to add a bit more context?

what?

It's positive news that's all. Been there done that before.
Forget who do you sign first. Do the deal then recruit an office team, long before you do anything with players or coaches.

Man there are so many idiots here. "Fake News" Dumbest quote of the year.
Try Google cobber and find the article for yourself.
Clearly you can't do that. Were you in the dole queue at the time? Run out of credit?

Paywall article thanks to Brett Stubbs and The Mercury.
"NBL boss Larry Kestelman has been buoyed by his latest meeting with the Tasmanian Government and believes the deal to get the state back into the national competition is back on.

It is believed the two parties were at a stalemate with Mr Kestelman seeking taxpayer funding to redevelop the 30-year-old Derwent Entertainment Centre, the jewel of his proposed $200 million development of Wilkinsons Point into a sporting, shopping and restaurant precinct.

While Mr Kestelman will fund the broader redevelopment, he will not sign off on the deal with the Glenorchy City Council without a funding commitment from the State Government for the DEC.

However, he said negotiations would continue after meeting with the Government in Hobart today.

"Things are progressing well," Mr Kestelman told the Mercury.

“The numbers and what needed to be done with the DEC is not an easy thing to do, we've got multiple parties - we’ve got the council, the State Government and potentially Federal Government – so it is not an easy process.

“But I have to say the spirit is very good, the Government feels positive it is still something they want to do, which is exciting for us, and we’ll work through with them and continue on the path so so far so good.”

Recreation and Sport Minister Jeremy Rockliff, left, receives a jersey from NBL owner Larry Kestelman at the announcement the NBL Blitz would be heading to Tasmania. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS
Recreation and Sport Minister Jeremy Rockliff, left, receives a jersey from NBL owner Larry Kestelman at the announcement the NBL Blitz would be heading to Tasmania. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS
A spokesperson said the Government welcomed negotiations but added:

“There are a number of factors to still consider and as we have stressed from the start of these negotiations the deal must represent value for taxpayers’ money.”

Mr Kestelman confirmed he had almost reached an agreement with the Glenorchy City Council for the sale of the DEC and Wilkinsons Point – he is now just waiting on the State Government.

“We are pretty close with the council with where things lie. There is still a bit to do but I would say we are not far apart,” he said.

He would not say how much he was seeking as he said there was a range of options before the Government from a basic basketball venue to a full redevelopment capable of hosting concerts and other attractions and events.

It is believed the starting asking price is $20 million through to $30 million-plus, with an additional $1.5 million a year to run an NBL club.

It was originally hoped there would be a final decision before the end of the year. Mr Kestelman said that was still the ambitious goal, but that it may not be possible.

“We are going away to do some work on the numbers and see what needs to be done and keep working on our proposal with the council as well,” he said.

Tasmania are kind of in a position where they can't say no. They’ve wanted a team in a professional league. They have the opportunity there is no way they are going to turn it down unless the deal is ridiculous from Larry Kestleman. There will be a riot if it doesn’t get done.

They're in a holding pattern right now with the state government, same as last week and the week before that. "Back on" in the title is sensationalism.

... and in the article.

I swear the latest article is the same as one published earlier in the month.

The Mercury are reporting a deal has been reached re the Tassie team. Their report says:

- There will be a $40m redevelopment of the DEC which will become state govt owned

- The planned community sports stadium will be built alongside it

- Kestelman will purchase the surrounding Wilkinson Point area for his commercial devt

- A Tasmanian team owned by Kestelman will enter the NBL in 2021/22

2021/22? Oof. I guess they need time to physically renovate the stadium and develop around it.

Sucks for the Tassie players nearing retirement who may have liked a home coming.

Definitely enough talent. Could be a few current-NBA dudes ready for the NBL, but also some guys in Europe could be lured back. Goulding is a FA, I wouldn't be shocked if he signed a 1 year deal next season with an eye at playing for his homestate also.

Interesting approach. Gov spends money on DEC but retains it - hopefully it's a situation where 1. the lease is long term and cheap for the NBL side; 2. Government sees financial return through a) other events like concerts; b) increase in tourism; c) redevelopment of the surrounding area.

That way, NBL gets a good stadium, cheap rent making it more viable for the team to succeed. Perhaps the cheap rent covers for not getting a $1m per year or whatever that they were speculated to want?

And then LK gets surrounding commercial land for his own $$$ purposes.

Win-win-win?