LaMelo Ball has not yet purchased the Australian National Basketball League’s Illawara Hawks despite claims from his manager that the transaction was a ‘done deal’. NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the proclamation was premature and that since Ball’s team went public with their intentions to buy the club the league has received “another two or three expressions of interest from very significant offshore investors as well as another two or three locals who have put their hand up to show interest.” Ball maintains he remains “absolutely committed” to purchasing the team he suited up for this past season. Howie Long-Short: To be clear, whoever ends up ‘buying’ the Illawara Hawks is really acquiring a license to operate the franchise. NBL majority owner Larry Kestelman controls most of the team’s trademarks (in addition to the league marks). The Wollongong based club is currently under the NBL’s ‘voluntary administration’ after it took back control of the organization from previous owner Simon Stratford. The Illawara Mercury reported back in January that Stratford maintained a ‘significant debt’ with the league. Historically speaking, operating an NBL team has not been a ticket to riches. More than 30 clubs have merged or folded since the league was founded in ’79.