The Adelaide Lightning, a prominent team in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), is currently facing an uncertain future. The club's general manager, Steve Wren, has expressed concerns that the Lightning may be left out of next season's national competition due to a standoff with the league's new ownership group. Since a recent takeover of the WNBL, the new owners, prioritizing financial sustainability and the sport's growth, have signed seven out of eight existing teams, but not the Lightning.
Wren, who is also associated with the Pelligra Group that has owned the Lightning for the past three seasons, pointed out the confusion surrounding the club's status. He mentioned that Pelligra previously indicated plans to step back from ownership and relinquish the team’s license but soon decided to remain in the league after the new ownership was announced. He expressed the desire for the Lightning to continue in the WNBL, indicating that the team's exclusion may be linked to the league's efforts to establish a presence in markets like Tasmania or Brisbane, which currently lack WNBL teams.
Despite the disagreements, the league representatives assert that they are committed to maintaining a professional women's basketball team in Adelaide. They mentioned that Pelligra had attempted to sell the team but was unsuccessful in finding a buyer. The new WNBL ownership is exploring various sustainable ownership models to secure the future of women's basketball in South Australia.
Wren has welcomed the new ownership model, which he believes will benefit players financially in the long run but contemplates whether the Lightning’s ownership will change. He reiterated a willingness to part with ownership if it means ensuring the team's continued existence. The Lightning, which has a rich history with five championships since it joined the WNBL in 1993, has seen multiple ownership transitions in recent years, causing concern among former players like Rachael Sporn, who wishes for a stable operating model.
Sporn highlighted the potential impact of the current situation on the team's roster and preparations, especially with the free agency period approaching and no confirmed head coach. She pointed out that successful recruitment is challenging when organizational stability is in question. The Lightning has faced financial troubles that have raised doubts about its ability to remain in the league, with the club historically undergoing ownership changes every few years, as noted by Wren.
The South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Recreation, Emily Bourke, recently became aware of the Lightning's precarious position. She has met with Basketball SA to understand the situation better, emphasizing the urgency of finding a resolution so that the team's future can be secured. The hope is to clarify the processes necessary for maintaining the Lightning, including securing coaches and laying a solid foundation for the team's continuity.
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