BODY BIKE APAC
BODY BIKE® International is a leading manufacturer of indoor bikes with a 20-year track record of creating the best indoor bikes. Stay connected with Body Bike Australia…
read moreThe National Basketball League (NBL) and the Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate (WCGS) have formed a consortium to acquire a majority interest in Australia's premier women's basketball league - the WNBL - following the completion of the 2024/25 season.
The deal will see the consortium acquire approximately 75% of the WNBL with a term sheet being signed, which provides up to 60 days to finalise the proposed transaction and allows any conditions to be met. Basketball Australia will maintain a minority interest in the League.
WCG - whose founder is current Tesla chair Robyn Denholm - has invested significantly in Australian basketball over the past two years. Earlier in 2024, WCG assumed the majority ownership share of Hoops Capital Pty Ltd, the owner of the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames.
At the direction of Denholm, Hoops Capital has directed a more deliberate approach to the growth of its women's program. The organisation recently restructured its medical, strength and conditioning, and performance teams in order to better and more equitably service both the Flames and the Kings.
Denholm noted “women’s basketball in Australia has a phenomenal history and an even brighter future; we are excited to be a major part of the syndicate that will guide the future direction as well as provide the right level of support and investment needed in the sport for decades to come.
“There is much work to be done to transform the League into a platform that our amazing female players, clubs, fans and all involved richly deserve.”
Larry Kestelman, the owner of the NBL, heads the consortium with Denholm, almost 10 years after purchasing a majority stake in the men's league. Kestelman has played an instrumental role in the growth of the NBL over his time as owner.
Kestelman shared “we are proud to be part of a group that will now have an opportunity to rethink what the best version of the WNBL can look like, and set the direction for the future as we did for the NBL. We believe this is a truly exciting proposition for us, the players, the fans, and everyone involved.
“The female athletes in the sport, as well as younger girls aspiring for greatness, deserve better and we believe we can, with time, deliver something to be proud of, but do not underestimate the work and challenges ahead.”
Under the new ownership structure, the consortium will take control of the league, with the NBL to operate the WNBL, from 2nd April, 2025.
NBL Chief Executive David Stevenson advised “we will spend the next few months and beyond listening and learning as much as we can from the clubs, players, fans and key stakeholders to ensure we make the appropriate changes for long term sustainability and the establishment of a world-class League.
“We are excited and feel privileged to be the new custodians of Australia’s oldest women’s professional sports competition, and we believe this group is best placed to bring sustained success and unprecedented growth.”
John Carey, Basketball Australia Chair, confirmed that WCGS and the NBL are the successful consortium following a rigorous and thorough selection process and enthused “we are delighted to welcome WCGS and the NBL to the WNBL, we are all committed to working together to ensure the success of the League for the players, clubs and fans. This is a very exciting time for the League and women’s basketball and we look forward to working closely with Robyn, Larry and David.”
Matt Scriven, Chief Executive of Basketball Australia, looks forward to a close working relationship with WCGS and the NBL adding that the announcement “is a commitment by all parties to elevate the WNBL and ensure the future of women’s basketball in Australia.”
24th May 2024 - NBL partners with WNBL and Basketball Australia to deliver inaugural ‘HoopsFest’ initiative in Perth
10th May 2024 - WNBL awards Geelong United Basketball license to enter the League
17th April 2024 - Basketball Australia looks at WNBL overhaul
21st January 2024 - WNBL players, partners and officials support Share the Dignity initiative
4th December 2023 - Cygnett WNBL announce Ford Aussie Hoops partnership
29th November 2023 - WNBL secures Coca-Cola Europacific Partners as official hydration partner
6th November 2023 - New Collective Bargaining Agreement finalised for WNBL Players’ 2023/24 season
31st October 2023 - WNBL’s Indigenous Round launches the 2023/24 season
6th September 2023 - WNBL fan feedback drives greater competition engagement
11th May 2024 - NBL agrees new media deal
4th April 2024 - NBL reaches new highs through 2023/24 season
22nd November 2023 - NBL enjoys early season growth
13th October 2023 - NBL breaks attendance records in new season
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
BODY BIKE® International is a leading manufacturer of indoor bikes with a 20-year track record of creating the best indoor bikes. Stay connected with Body Bike Australia…
read moreCompliant chemical storage and decanting solutions. Includes spill kits, spill containment pallets, chemical decanting decks and safety shower and eyewash equipment. See our full range of solutions
read moreTicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…
read moreICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…
read moreKnown as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd
read moreSimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…
read moreCentaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…
read moreAs of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as Vivaticket Pty Ltd. Vivaticket is the ideal strategic partner for the organisation and management of your…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!