Transparency and Clarity of the NBL Media: Insights from Jack Heverin

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ONE on ONE with Jack Heverin

The NBL is carving out its place in the Australian sports landscape, and according to NBL Media member and commentator Jack Heverin, its journey is a unique one. Speaking candidly about the league's position, Heverin provided insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by basketball media in Australia.

Driving the Conversation

“The biggest difference between the NBL and any other sport,” Heverin explained, “is that the NBL is still at a stage where it is trying to drive conversation, gain more space in the papers, more space online, and more items in the news.”

Unlike more established sports, basketball media in Australia remains relatively underdeveloped. “There just isn’t enough working media in basketball right now,” Heverin said, expressing hope that this would change in the future.

The Role of NBL Media

Heverin highlighted the critical role played by NBL Media in fostering discussions and keeping the sport in the public eye. “Sometimes, a lot of these conversations and opinions have to come via NBL Media, or they won’t come at all.”

This role is not without its challenges. Negative stories can often overshadow the positives, even when they are vastly outnumbered. “For every one negative thing—like I mentioned, some players retweet things or post them on their Instagram—there are actually 30 positive things. It’s just that the negatives stand out,” Heverin noted.

Despite these hurdles, NBL Media is committed to promoting the game. “That is the role NBL Media has to play in the ecosystem at the moment: help keep the conversation going, get people talking about the games, and get them watching. Because sometimes, if we’re not doing it, no one is.”

Independence and Support

A common question about NBL Media is whether it acts independently or if it is influenced by the league itself. Heverin was clear in dispelling any misconceptions about editorial control. “Not once, in my five years on broadcasts and two and a half years on Melbourne radio calling games, have I been told what to say, and I want to be clear about that,” he stated.

He emphasized that the league has never imposed restrictions on commentary or dictated specific narratives. “Not once in my time have I experienced anyone from the NBL—from the owner down—telling us what we can and can’t say.”

Even when discussions push boundaries, Heverin said the NBL has remained supportive. “There have been times when we, collectively, have said things where you wonder, 'Oh gee, I wonder how that’s going to go.' But the response has been nothing but supportive from the NBL, because no lines have been crossed.”

This balance between editorial independence and league support allows commentators like Heverin to operate freely while advocating for the sport and the NBL. “We are independent in that sense, but we are also supported by the NBL to, kind of, go our hardest.”

As the NBL continues to grow, the role of media in shaping its narrative is more critical than ever. With passionate voices like Jack Heverin leading the charge, basketball fans can look forward to a future where the sport occupies a more prominent place in Australian culture.