National Basketball League forks out $1.2million to bring Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen to Australia – and now the league expects AFL fans to pay for it

National Basketball League majority owner Larry Kestelman parted with $1.2 million to lure Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen to Australia – and is clearly looking to recoup the large sum of money to the AFL grand final approaches.

Pippen, 57, has won six NBA titles during his decorated career and will be on local shores ahead of the start of the 2023/24 NBL season.

But ahead of the first report on September 28, when Kestelman’s Melbourne United host rivals SEM Phoenix at John Cain Arena, Pippen will essentially be available to the highest bidder.

Naturally, it won’t be cheap.

For $50,000, football fans will have the unique opportunity to chat with the small forward at lunch the night before the AFL grand final in Melbourne.

Pippen won six NBA titles during a decorated career that began in Chicago in 1987 (pictured, with ex-wife Larsa Younan)

NBL majority owner Larry Kestelman (pictured back left, at the Australian Open) is worth around $1.27 billion.

And if you’re willing to fork out $85,000, Pippen will be the star attraction on a luxury cruise around Sydney Harbor with former Bulls teammate Luc Longley.

Kestelman – who will also attend the event – has dubbed his super yacht Las Vegas and is estimated to be worth $13 million.

Pippen made his NBA debut in 1987 with the Bulls and quickly became a fixture on the court as Michael Jordan created a sports dynasty.

He was also selected by Longley for a coaching role at the Sydney Kings a few years ago, but the stars did not align.

“It would have been complex, he doesn’t have much coaching experience, but I know what his basketball brain is like,” said Longley, who is part of the club’s ownership group. ESPN.

“Scottie would have been good at capturing the band’s imagination and moving them forward.

“But ultimately we agreed the timing wasn’t right.”