New Indian-backed teams will join the Sal’s NBL and G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi competitions next year, in a ground-breaking initiative that demonstrates New Zealand National Basketball League’s (G.J. Gardner Tauihi and Sal's NBL) continued commitment to innovation and growth in the sport.
Owned by InBL Pro, who also run basketball leagues in India, the Indian Panthers will be based in South Auckland and play out of Takanini’s Pulman Arena. They will establish both a men’s and women’s team which are set to feature leading national team players from India, along with internationals from America and Australia. The Panthers are also permitted to sign Kiwi players – and expect to include some homegrown New Zealand talent as part of their teams.
General Manager of Leagues Maree Taylor says, "We are excited to have the Indian Panthers join our professional leagues in 2025. The opportunities this partnership will bring extend across the basketball community and beyond."
Sky’s Head of Commercialisation & Fandom Justin Nelson developed the project and is delighted to welcome the Indian Panthers to New Zealand.
“This is an exciting moment for New Zealand basketball. By embracing the most populated nation in the world, we’re opening our leagues to up to 1.4 billion potential new fans. We’re also supporting India’s basketball ambitions by sharing access to our two rising pro leagues.
“Bringing the Indian Panthers into our New Zealand leagues will also help develop partnership and Sky TV broadcast opportunities back into India and the Asian region. The opportunity for New Zealand government, education, tourism, agriculture, and many other industries to promote themselves to India via our Kiwi leagues and television coverage is significant,” said Nelson.
InBL Pro chief executive Parveen Batish is excited for the future of the Indian Panthers and provided an overview of what he was looking to achieve in 2025, and beyond.
“Our philosophy is simple - make basketball matter more in India by showcasing the opportunities the sport presents to Indian players around the world. Playing in these two strong New Zealand leagues will help create aspirational pathways for Indian players, which will drive participation and engagement across India,” said Batish.
“Indian ballers need increased opportunities to play in high-quality leagues. By operating teams in New Zealand in partnership with the NZNBL, Tauihi and Sky TV, we will give our athletes and coaches the chance to learn modern skills of game preparation, scouting, game adjustment and individual skills. It will also give them a platform to demonstrate their skills to a wider international audience.
“With the introduction of the Panthers into respected and well-established leagues, it provides InBL Pro and NZ leagues opportunities that will enhance the game in both countries. We see the Panthers as being India’s team and loved by Indians around the world.
“We also hope the introduction of the Panthers will help other NZNBL and Tauihi teams in the with marketing and commercial opportunities. In business and sport, we have so much to share across New Zealand and India."
Approximately 50% of India’s population of 1.42 billion people is under the age of 25. With basketball being one of the nation’s fastest growing sports, especially amongst its youth, the vision is for the Indian Panthers to be one of the key teams that young Indian players aspire to play for as professionals in the future.
Indian Panthers players will be based in New Zealand for the duration of each season and will play all their home games in Takanini’s Pulman Arena.
According to Stats NZ’s most recent census, citizens of India are the largest group of migrants in New Zealand (a population of 50,800 in 2023), with the number of Indian migrants living in New Zealand expected to rise above 500,000 by 2036 (figure.nz).
Auckland is home to the largest percentage of migrants from India, making it the ideal base for the Indian Panthers.
“The addition of the Panthers is a strategic move to take this entertainment business into India and the wider Asian region where basketball is going through extraordinary growth,” said Nelson.
“New Zealand being home to players like Steven Adams is helping to elevate our profile on the global stage as a respected basketball nation. Excitingly, there is an opportunity for the Panthers to bring millions of fans with them.”
The 2025 Sal’s NBL schedule is set to be released in the coming weeks, while free agency for player signing will commence in early November.
