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?

The Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) has launched its re-imagined brand identity in a bold statement that women’s basketball in Australia is Ready to Rise.

The new WNBL brand is fueled by purpose and progress, measured not merely in stats but in dreams realised and barriers broken.

With the tagline Ready to Rise, the new brand is a symbol of power in motion, where elegance meets intensity and flight becomes a form of expression reflecting the talent, passion and energy of the league’s athletes.

The stylised 'w’ motif is a nod to the net and hoop and transforms into a winged icon: part spirit, part future.

WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said this is a significant step forward for Australia’s longest-running national women’s sports league.

"The WNBL as we know it has been forged from a rich history and today, we enter a brand-new chapter of the league, one that is shaping the future of the game for our players, fans and clubs," Sager said.

“This is one of many bold changes we have made since taking ownership in April, including a historic Collective Bargaining agreement which achieves a ground-breaking pro-rata pay parity deal.

“Similarly, for the rebrand, we sought feedback from players past and present, and stakeholders across the clubs and the league.

“The new logo represents our vision for the future of women’s basketball in Australia, one that is strong, dynamic, professional, and inspiring.”

The new brand has been welcomed by some of the league’s most exciting players, including Olympian and WNBA player Jade Melbourne.

“I think it’s super fitting for us. It’s ours, it’s our new league, it’s a great product and it’s only going to get better and better with a fresh start and new logo, it’s going to be so nice on the court,” Melbourne said.

Ready to Rise is more than a tagline - it is the league’s promise to the sporting world. This is more than basketball; this is legacy in action.

We are WNBL. We are Ready to Rise.

I wonder how much overs they paid the ad agency for that bit of ott puff. (Money that could have gone to the league or the players)

That logo is like what I made for my NBA 2k team in about 2 minutes. Awful.

The ring should be at the top, not half way down.
people will not recognise that it's a ring + net = W

What I don't get is why they used a 3D effect on just the front of the ring and nothing else. The rest is 2D. It's weird to me. Plus yeah the whole thing overall is meh.

I guess they were going for something distinctive, so mission successful in that department I guess with those colours.

Sami Whitcomb is heading to the Europe instead of playing WNBL next year.

Surprising re: Sami given that one of the stated reasons for choosing Bendigo was they were willing to give the stability of a 2yr contract that she and her young family were looking for, while other clubs weren't.
Unfortunate timing being announced on the same day as the WNBL rebrand launch, given that the WNBL stated one of their aims is to bring back/retain top Aussie talent!

I think that logo will grow on people, it will look good on jerseys too.

I'm not sure how they would incorporate any future naming rights sponsor into that logo though.

They need to update their website, it’s blah

Lauren Nicholson returns to the Flames (2 year deal)

Caps already resigned

J.Melbourne
M.Bobongie
J.Clark
N.Puoch

Lot of back patting going on for coming up with a new Logo ..

Next

All games on Free to Air and in HD.

Fix up Graphics for games being broadcast , NBL1 is miles ahead of what the WNBL is doing .

Local Juniors and players with more than 5 years at one club receive cap reductions.

Expand the League with at least one more team , large regional centre would be ideal.

FWIW, during all the talk about will Adelaide survive or not, it sounded like Brisbane & Tassie were both a good chance to be in for the 26/27 season

Kerryn Mitchell Appointed Head Coach of Adelaide WNBL Team

Link

Terrible decision. No understanding of SA basketball culture at all. If this is an example of LK and Robyn as managers of the team, the public will continue to ignore them. May as well move home games to Springbank.

Free agency week hasn't exactly started with fireworks from what I've seen.
Anyway, please list any new signings you come across.

One announced this morning - Agnes Emma-Nnopu -> Sydney, 3 year deal

3 years... would have given her just the 1 ftm.

There have been some massive signings that haven't been announced yet.

any clues Jayhoops on these?

Roster tracker

WNBL 25/26 Season

Adelaide - K.Mitchell

Bendigo - K.Kereama

Canberra - P.Goriss
J.Melbourne
M.Bobongie
J.Clark
N.Puoch

Geelong - C.Lucas
J.Shelley
E.Brett
G.Potter
T.Mole
A.Sharp

Perth - R.Petrik
S.Gorman
A.Maley
K.Waite

Southside - K.Harrower
M.Rocci
M.Puoch

Sydney - G.Molloy
S.Swain
L.Nicholson
C.Pitman
A.Nnopu
E.Clarke

Townsville - S.Seebohm
A.Ellis
C.Woods
S.Shiels
A.Fowler
A.Froling
L.Cox(I)

For what it's worth (traditionally very little, but maybe they'll put in some effort this season) ...


Official WNBL 2025/26 Roster Tracker

from what little I have heard

George ---- Southside
Bourne ------ Southside
Borlase ------ Bendigo


Cole ---- not southside
Kunek ----- not Southside

My understanding is that Cosmo is correct regarding at least three of those (possibly all).

Yes, agree with Cosmo, have heard similar.

Borlase to remain in Victoria following her season with Tigers

I heard Bourne to Geelong but either way moving home to Victoria

Lightning already in deep trouble

No management - BSA rejected request (hopefully continue to do so)

Zero signed.

Talbot not confirmed. Post injury is not an Opal, barely a starter at WNBL level right now.

Basham at best a quick hitter off the bench, when on.

Looking locally best options would be.

Basham
Hannah Gardiner (16 - undersized for WNBL level)
Jasmin Fejo (AFLW/tried and didn't work out at WNBL previously)
Lauren Mansfield (36, if she ever gets back on court)
Maddy Freer (Bench player at best)
Morgan Yaeger (questionable style/didn't work out at WNBL level previously)
Olivia Levicki (32)
Sam Simons (inconsistent, didn't work out at WNBL previously)
Sienna Lehmann (plenty of opportunities but not WNBL level)
Tayla Brazel (role player at best)

Bourne is from ACT, not Victoria.

I can't see Bec Cole leaving Victoria, so presume she will be going to Bendigo or Geelong?

I could see Kunek being more open to an interstate move, but they are also very close friends, so may go as a package to one of the above teams.

Bourne an excellent player

Just got the email from Spirit announcing Borlase.

Miela Sowah to Townsville, announcement imminent.

Miela Sowah to Townsville, announcement imminent.

Seebohm's phone is running hot with calls from WA , what's happened out there ??

I'm guessing better money plus a coach who is part of the Opals staff are both appealing (plus in Sowah's case she is a Queenslander)

Import/Ellis
Sowah/?
Woods/Shiels
Import/Fowler
Cox/Froling

Plenty of backup SG options around nbl1.
Henderson who made the GB N.T would be a nice get as a 5th guard option who could fill in at the point.
Moore, a versatile forward another good option to backup woods or fowler.

Drop Mansfield and Lok imo.
Cochrane probably could get a backup spot somewhere else.

Cox is an import, so only one more to add.

My bad, ellis probably starting.

"Miela Sowah to Townsville, announcement imminent."

done deal , gives TSV something they lacked last year a class outside shooter , Sowah can stand and the corner and jack up threes all year and not worry about having to bring the ball up and that will work out fine.

Next on the TSV shopping list will be a Import point Guard and they will be just about done.

Steph Talbot re-signs with Lightning.

From lack of news I take it Hoopsfest isn't happening again?

@Luuuc #965854

Wish Basketcase would come back and do theirs, can't trust anyone else. At least putting current NBL1 clubs on official tracker is a nice touch.

Dallas Loughridge leaving southside. Maybe joining Talbot at lightning to run the point guard position?

Probably, Mitchell is the new HC.

Aokuso -> Canberra

https://wnbl.com.au/uc-capitals/news/caps-go-big-land-star-forward-zitina-aokuso-for-the-25-26-wnbl-season/

Great to see Zatina back in the league after giving Europe a crack last season. She should enjoy Jade's pick and roll decision making!

Grace Berger to Flames.

Miela Sowah to Townsville, announcement imminent.

Shyla Heal to Geelong United/Force/Venom.

Interesting that coach is talking up Shyla as a 'true PG' alongside Shelley at SG.

Surely Geelong go with "Force"? Venom is does not come across right.

I love the sound of G Force!

i prefer Force.

Assuming that Wikipedia is mostly correct Little Heal is playing for her 20th Club at the ripe old age of 23.
.

Dallas Loughridge -> Adelaide Lightning

With Heal at Geelong now - does that mean K Frol is on the move?

Sara Blicavs to caps! Didnt see it coming but thrilled about some veteran experience on this team!

That's a pretty nice roster that the Caps are putting together

With Heal at Geelong now - does that mean K Frol is on the move?

And Olivia Pollerd to Bendigo

WNBL 25/26 Season

ADELAIDE - K.Mitchell
D.Loughridge
T.Brazel
S.Talbot
-
Loughridge/PG
SG/SG
Talbot/Brazel
PF/PF
C/C

BENDIGO - K.Kereama
I.Borlase
C.Samuels
O.Pollerd
-
PG/PG
Borlase/SG
Samuels/SF
PF/Pollerd
C/C

CANBERRA - P.Goriss
J.Melbourne
M.Bobongie
J.Clark
N.Puoch
S.Blicavs
Z.Aokuso
-
Melbourne/PG
SG/Bobongie
Puoch/Clark
Blicavs/PF
Aokuso/C

GEELONG - C.Lucas
S.Heal
J.Shelley
E.Brett
G.Potter
T.Mole
A.Sharp
-
Heal/PG
Shelley/Brett
Potter/SF
Sharp/Mole
C/C

PERTH - R.Petrik
S.Gorman
A.Maley
K.Waite
-
PG/PG
SG/Gorman
Maley/SF
PF/PF
C/Waite

SOUTHSIDE - K.Harrower
M.Rocci
I.Bourne*
M.Puoch
C.George*
-
Rocci/PG
SG/SG
SF/SF
Bourne/PF
George/Puoch

SYDNEY - G.Molloy
S.Swain
L.Nicholson
G.Berger(I)
C.Pitman
A.Nnopu
E.Clarke
K.Froling
-
Swain/PG
Berger/Pitman
Nicholson/Clarke
Froling/Nnopu
C/C

TOWNSVILLE - S.Seebohm
A.Ellis
M.Sowah
C.Woods
S.Shiels
A.Fowler
A.Froling
L.Cox(I)
-
Ellis/PG
Sowah/SG
Woods/Shiels
PF/Fowler
Cox/Froling


*rumour

WNBL Schedule 2025/26 is up

Link to Page

Link to PDF

Kadi Sissoko to Canberra.

Steph Reid confirmed via The Pick and Roll interview that she is heading back to Europe next season, albeit with a new club TBC.

Would love to see Reid back in the WNBL but sounds like she loved the Europe experience.

Fixtures format terribly on mobile devices. Anyways, rip to Bendat. Hopefully Perth announce some signings soon.

They have 4 signings

Bibby listed on Perth page

Issie Bourne to Southside.

nothing anywhere about Bibby signing with Perth

https://wnbl.com.au/perth/chloe-bibby-2/

Could be an old link from 22/23 but was recently updated.

Quite a few other players linked on teams pages and alot of them have never played for that club previously.

Bourne is a gun and has a bright future

Clinch-Hoycard signing with Geelong United, Petrik told her she was not required for upcoming season...

Best of luck to Macca in Geelong.
She's a weapon as a shooter. Just needs to get better at holding her own at the defensive end.

Sania Feagin to Lightning.

New branding for Geelong. They are no longer United.

Not a fan of the Venom name but maybe it'll grow on me.

Kelsey Rees signed with Spirit.

Not announced yet, but Tolo obviously returning to Spirit as multiple signings have talked about looking forward to learning from her.

Sydney and Townsville rosters almost complete, 3 spots left.

S
Swain/Cann
Berger/Pitman
Nicholson/Clarke
Froling/Nnopu
C/C

T
Ellis/PG
Sowah/Forster
Woods/Shiels
PF/Fowler
Cox/Froling

Kesley Griffin has also re-signed so the Spirit roster starting to take shape.
Like DMc I figure Tolo is a lock as Borlase mentioned Tolo in her signing "blurb" and Tolo's other half is the Spirit GM.
I can't see Wehrung going anywhere as she lives on her farm in Korweinguboora.
Veronica Burton enjoyed her time in Bendigo and found a congregation she liked so unless she asks for the moon she should be back.
Could Kelly Wilson possibly go around again? She does not seem to have any issues physically and loves playing with KG so I am sure with KG going again she would be chatting to Kelly.
Would they go for a second import? Will Borlase take up all of Sami's coin or will there be some left over for 2nd import?
Of the others, Bird has flown the coop (to college), Hannan seems like she can't get over concussion issues which leaves Simpson, Nightingale and Booth to sit on the end of the bench maybe or be a DP again.

Can hope but doubtful I'm reading the correct info.

Burton/K.Wilson
Borlase/Wehrung
A.Wilson/Samuels
Griffin/Pollerd
Tolo/Rees

Nightingale also heading to US for college (Davidson, where Steph Curry played).

Not sure where the A Wilson back to Bendigo posted above came from but if true I would be surprised.
Any word on whether her partner Amy Atwell is expected to be fit and playing this season?

Would love to see Burton and Haley Jones back in the league for another season, but who knows!

I think you'll find Kelly Wilson is pregnant & Tolo is desperately trying to but if unsuccessful she’ll be back in Bendigo for another season. No way is Ally Wilson returning to Bendigo & her resigning in Perth is imminent...

Bendigo setting the benchmark again - K Rees a very good player that has done well in the states

will be interested watching Feagin play as well !

New logos seem to be all the rage atm

Did they just use AI?

I think so, as it definitely has that feel to it.

Only worth 2 stars? They could have used 5 LOL

They've won three championships so the two stars are baffling.

Munger back to caps!

@Perthworld

If you read the article on it the stars don't represent the championships.

Call me reckless, but given they have won 3 titles and they only recently unveiled new logo, I reckon you probably don't need to read the article to know that the stars don't represent the titles.

I don't particularly like or dislike the new Bendigo logo, but for me the fact that it needs an accompanying article to explain its symbolism/meaning/significance kind of says it all.

Nobody is going to look at that logo and say "those 2 stars look like they convey the inherent resilience and determination of the players, both past and present, on and off the court", and the 'homage to the iconic poppet head' is so subtle as to be indecipherable.

Wasted money in my opinion, and same for Geelong. I do however think it was a good idea for the WNBL themselves to refresh their logo/branding, as it actually is a new era for them.

Teams really filling out now....

Adelaide
Loughridge/PG
SG/SG
Talbot/Brazel
PF/Robati
Feagin/Tofaeono

Bendigo
PG/PG
Borlase/Wehrung?
SF/Samuels
Griffin/Pollerd
Tolo?/Rees

Canberra
Melbourne/PG
Munger/Clark/Bobongie
Blicavs/Puoch
Sissoko/PF
Aokuso/C

Geelong
Heal/PG
Shelley/Brett
Potter/SF
Sharp/Mole/Hoycard
C/C

Perth
Wilson?/PG
SG/Gorman/Ciabattoni
Atwell?/SF
Maley/PF
C/Waite

Southside
Rocci/PG
SG/SG
SF/SF
Bourne/PF
George/Puoch

Sydney
Swain/Cann
Berger/Pitman
Nicholson/Clarke
Froling/Nnopu
C/Mcspadden

Townsville
Ellis/PG
Sowah/Forster
Woods/Shiels
PF/Fowler
Cox/Froling

Still about 30 odd places left

Free agents or dvlp players you would think might sign somewhere

Basham
Bowyer
Deeble
Horvat
Conti
Cole
Ernst
Kunek
Reed
Young
Brancatisano
Dale
Ruef
Tupaea
Cochrane
Mansfield

Also lots of unsigned
Imports, Opals, Tall Ferns, Overseas locals, College kids, nbl1 players

Once again Perth is the "C'mon, do something" meme.

The common practice is that stars on a club logo represent number of titles won. If they've included them for some other reason then that's fine, good for them, but it's confusing.

but for me the fact that it needs an accompanying article to explain its symbolism/meaning/significance kind of says it all.

Shyla has an insta story with her knee in a serious brace. Any news if she did an ACL over the weekend in NBL1? Would be awful given she has just signed with Geelong and we were getting to see her back in Aus.

See Rocci is injured too and replaced by Ellis in opals squad. Any word of severity of her injury?

Shyla injured Sat night just before half time. Slipped on the court at Bankstown making an offensive move. Right knee. Doesn't look great, could easily be an ACL. Very sad, could have been in China and the injury wouldnt have happened.

Wilson and Atwell back for Perth so at least a decent core to work with. Lean into the Gangurrus and get Whittle. Likely need two imports (at the 1&5 please).

Tiege Morrell to Caps

No surprise but Abbey Wehrung back with Bendigo.

Adelaide Lightning
Loughridge/Fejo
SG/SG
Talbot/Brazel
PF/Robati
Feagin/Tofaeono

Bendigo Spirit
PG/PG
Borlase/Wehrung
SF/Samuels
Griffin/Pollerd
Tolo?/Rees

Canberra Capitals
Melbourne/PG
Munger/Bobongie
Blicavs/Clark
Sissoko/Puoch
Aokuso/Morrell

Geelong Venom
Heal/PG
Shelley/Brett
Potter/SF
Sharp/Mole
C/Hoycard

Perth Lynx
Wilson/PG
SG/Gorman
Atwell/Ciabattoni
Maley/PF
C/Waite

Southside Flyers
Rocci/Andrews
SG/SG
SF/SF
Bourne/Ernst
George/Puoch

Sydney Flames
Swain/Cann
Berger/Pitman
Nicholson/Clarke
Froling/Nnopu
C/Mcspadden

Townsville Fire
Ellis/PG
Sowah/Forster
Woods/Shiels
Fowler/Crichton
Cox/Froling


4-5 wasted contract spots imo when so many players still available.

Can't see Whittle signing with Lynx especially since her & Maley are no longer a couple, this breakup definitely affected the chemistry of the Gangurru’s at the recent World Cup...

Caps first to 10 by signing Isa Brancatisano

Sydney to 10 as well with Unique Thompson