The New Zealand Breakers of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) have been sold to a local ownership group, according to a source familiar with the transaction.
The Auckland-based club, the only non-Australian club competing in the NBL, was sold by owner Matt Walsh. The former professional player-turned-business executive and his consortium of American investors acquired the club back in 2018. That ownership group included Liga MX’s Necaxa soccer club investors Sam Porter and Al Tylis as well as former NBA All-Star Shawn Marion.
The NBL and Walsh declined to comment.
The Breakers (10-19), who currently sit ninth out of 10 teams in the league standings, are the latest in a growing line of NBL teams to switch hands. Previously, the reigning champs Tasmania JackJumpers were sold by league owner Larry Kestelman at a reported $35 million valuation last month to Brisbane-based private equity firm Altor Capital. Additionally, Sports Entertainment Group owner Craig Hutchison sold the Perth Wildcats to Australian businessman Mark Arena for $40 million last year.
The Breakers have become New Zealand’s flagship basketball team despite not winning an NBL title since 2015. Founded in 2003, the four-time champions have embraced the league’s Next Stars program, which develops international prospects and NBA draft eligible talent. For example, Mexican prodigy Karim Lopez, a 17-year-old who plays for the Breakers, is a projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Walsh, a Pennsylvania native who played for the Florida Gators before a short stint with the Miami Heat and a long pro career in Europe, became the first international majority owner in the NBL seven years ago. Since then, a handful of Americans, including Jason Levien (Brisbane Bullets) and Romie Chaudhari (South East Melbourne Phoenix), have purchased teams in the growing league, which has featured Charlotte Hornets standout LaMelo Ball and more recently Washington Wizards rising star Alex Sarr.
As valuations for NBA teams have climbed over the last decade, former pros have instead turned to the NBL for cheaper investment opportunities and more hands-on operator experience. John Wall, Andrew Bogut, Zach Randolph, Josh Childress and Khris Middleton are among the dozen current and former NBA players who have acquired NBL team stakes.
Former NBA All-Stars Kenny Smith and Carmelo Anthony are also slated to become limited partners in future expansion clubs through their ambassador and Next Star program partnerships with the league.
The relationship between the NBA and NBL continues to grow as the Aussie league looks to capture more fans stateside. The NBA announced last week that the New Orleans Pelicans will play two preseason games in Melbourne, the first NBA contests in Australia. The Pelicans will face the Phoenix on Oct. 3 and Melbourne United on Oct. 5.
(This story has been updated to note the NBL declined to comment.)
