Nba’s colangelo buys into nbl’s hawks

Peter Mitchell and Murray WenzelThe West Australian Former NBA executive Bryan Colangelo has purchased a stake in the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks, who will now be known simply as the Hawks in an

attempt to grow their brand beyond regional NSW. Colangelo, the ex-Philadelphia 76ers general manager and two-time NBA executive of the year ,was revealed on Wednesday as the high-profile

brains behind the NBL’s only remaining foundation club. He will assume an advisory role and assist in governance and strategy of the Hawks, who originally appeared set to be purchased by

one-time recruit and potential NBA No.1 draft pick LaMelo Ball. Instead the NBL has handed the reins to Colangelo and business partners Dorry Kordahi and Michael Proctor. Colangelo - who was

heavily involved in the 76ers selecting Ben Simmons the top pick in the 2016 NBA draft - departed the team two years later after a social media controversy. It was discovered Colangelo’s

wife, Barbara, had operated multiple Twitter accounts and shared private information and opinions on the Sixers and team rivals. Colangelo has previously been general manager of the Phoenix

Suns and Toronto Raptors and recently interviewed for the Chicago Bulls’ vice president role. Kordahi is an Australian entrepreneur and former co-owner of the Sydney Kings, while American

businessman Proctor has strong connections in United States high school and college basketball. Colangelo said the NBL’s Next Stars program - responsible for luring Ball away from the United

States before his NBA start next year - had piqued his interest. “LaMelo Ball, among others, serves as a great example of just how influential the NBL has become on a global basis,” he

said. “We are thrilled to be selected as new partners with the league and pledge to outperform the expectations placed on us and deliver for Hawks fans.” NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger

said the club’s “primary base” would remain Wollongong, with plans to upgrade their WIN Entertainment Centre home court. But the syndicate has stripped Illawarra from the club’s title and

will now be known only as the Hawks in an attempt to expand their footprint. The NBL rejected a Ball-led bid in March before the club was placed in voluntary administration. NBL owner Larry

Kestelman said Colangelo’s syndicate remained open to any further investors but that the trio were the “best credentialed to deliver long term success” to the foundation club. “The decision

in choosing the right owners was not an easy one and I want to acknowledge and thank all those who were part of the thorough process undertaken,” Kestelman said. “I would like, in

particular, to thank LaMelo Ball and his organisation for the support and interest shown in wanting to achieve the best outcome for the team that has helped him have a chance at being the

number one NBA draft pick.” GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM THEWEST.COM.AU IN YOUR INBOX. Sign up for our emails