I don't have any clue or inside knowledge, but I imagine there’s probably a reason why the WNBL got to the point of having to be sold and fixed up.

I suspect we are at the point where some rich people expected the new WNBL to just come in and give them more money to play with, rather than the league setting standards and a path to ensure stability and continued existence of clubs.

If that’s the case, it’s a predictable baulk, but eventually I think we will see the properly committed owners come to the party and perhaps it saves us watching the others struggle, complain and bail?

There was an article on Code Sports about it, behind paywall.

Having read it, nothing of much note

Tesla CEO and LK ... of course ownerns who have lost millions have questions.

Neither are taking over out of charity. Both see a way to build their own businesses. That's why NBL, NBL1, State Associations and now WNBL owners are hesitating even with the big profile jump of the NBL and NBL1.

As above I don't believe there is an Adelaide club yet for 2025/26. Without some big names (local) at least on board supporting it and a move away from the 36ers Arena, no Adelaide team will survive.

Melbourne needs another team. Brisbane would be great.

An influx of talent would help too, but reality is the summer schedule is now flooded and the WNBL just can't find a spot. Going to be tough for anyone going forward.

Saw an update today that progress is finally being made, with 7 clubs now on board.
Adelaide the one existing team in doubt, having apparently handed back their licence but now wanting back in and being told it's too late.
No mention of expansion teams. I assume they'd be looking at next season for that.

for us older fans - Adelaide not having a WNBL side is just unheard of - very sad if that is the case.

Either they will find new owners or run Adelaide themselves.

The aim is for the 8 team comp but they do want a Melbourne based side (apparently the Flyers aren't Melbourney enough).

I think they also want a Brisbane and Tassie sides eventually too?

Do Adelaide have a fan base anymore? Privatisation has all but ended support for the team. Last season if not for the freebies handed out to District Club's they would have been able to play at SBC (without grand stands).

Yes we need an Adelaide team, but it will take a decade or more of hard work off-court before they become relevant to anyone in the Adelaide community.

i think it would be less than a decade. Standard gets higher = imports = quality of game is higher = end of season imports gone = no local connection with players that are 1 and done.

Talbot - Local, Opal, 6th year straight, 9th year total
Borlase - Local, Opal 4 years*
Bourne - Opals squad 2 years
Basham - Local, 5 years
Turner - 2nd straight year, 3rd year total

Core of players which includes South Aussies, Opals, NBL1 South MVP, NBL1 Central MVP.

Owner with deep pockets, multiple sporting connections in Adelaide, owns of 36ers Arena.

Some games during the past season would have barely had 200 spectators.

A decade was generous.

The Australian Basketball Players' Association has initiated and signed a historic four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).
The landmark agreement signed in April 2025 represents the most significant investment made in the history of the WNBL, the longest-running elite women’s sporting competition in the country.

Designed and initiated by the Players’ Association, who originally negotiated with Basketball Australia and then with the new WNBL ownership syndicate, the new agreement establishes pro-rata minimum wage parity between the WNBL and men’s National Basketball League (NBL) across the next four years.

Locally the biggest take from the article is the WNBL remained firm on excluding Pelligra as an owner and that there remains a possibility South Australia won't have a WNBL team next season.

Judging by the reaction (or lack of) it disappointingly sounds like people don't actually care if Adelaide go without a WNBL side?

Unfortunately, the WNBL will always be in the shadow of the NBL. Even the AFLW, after a promising start is now but a small sideshow to the AFL. However, the AFLW teams do get the support from their Clubs so that is a plus.

Perhaps if the WNBL teams were owned as much as possible by the same ownership as the NBL teams or at least aligned to a NBL Team, and games were played as a curtain raiser to the NBL games, interest may increase.

While Netball Superleague games do attract almost as big a crowd in Adelaide as the 36ers, it is a different demographic, and Netball is predominantly played by females.

It would be a pity if there was no Adelaide Team in the WNBL moving forward as there has been a long proud history created by the Lightning. They have won more titles than the 36ers and appeared in more Grand Finals. There have been some great SA players and interstaters & imports represent the Lightning but in recent years it has been a case of you get what you pay for. Without investment, there is no reward - certainly not financial but reward for effort. Hopefully something needs to be sorted out and soon before the locals sign interstate and the team is gone.

Cayla George departing Sydney? Where is she signing does anyone know?