Adelaide's WNBL team saved by SA government but no guarantees on 'Lightning' name
Adelaide will continue to have a presence in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) after the league's new owners today announced a partnership with the SA government to keep the team alive.
The Lightning has won five championships since entering the league,
The WNBL was recently taken over by a new ownership group, which has said its priorities include the financial sustainability of clubs and the growth of the game.
Amid the league's decision to decline Lightning owner Pelligra's request to continue in the league, the government has stepped in to support the league in a transition to new ownership.
Steph Talbot is one of Adelaide's best players.
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Getty Images: Graham Denholm
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The SA government will provide $571,000 to the club per year over the next three years.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the Adelaide Lightning was a team synonymous with success and the government would not have allowed it to fold.
"As soon as we heard that news as a state government, we got to work with engaging with the WNBL and basketball more broadly in our state to see if we can't come up with a solution that ensures that the next season of the WNBL has the Adelaide Lightning competing as it always has," he said.
"To be honest, in my mind, that was always going to be true.
"There wasn't a set of circumstances where as a government we were going to tolerate the Adelaide Lightning not continuing within the WNBL.
"It is also important in inspiring the younger generation of young female basketballers to continue to participate."
Former general manager Steve Wren said he wanted to ensure the Lightning remained part of the WNBL.
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ABC News: Guido Salazar
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WNBL chief executive Jennie Sager said today's announcement was the first step in rebuilding the team in South Australia.
"We couldn't be happier that from the minute we reached out to the government, that support was there and that door was open," she said.
"It's absolutely a partnership that needed to happen to keep the Lightning here.
"Right now our intention is to look for new owners over the next three years.
"For now the club will be run between the WNBL and that current ownership and the government."
The Adelaide Lightning is a five-time champion club.
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Getty Images: Mark Evans
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The agreement will also see the team train at the newly opened $88 million South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) headquarters.
The team will have access to office space, a gym and court as well as medical and physiotherapy support.
The state government will also provide $300,000 over three years to deliver community-based programs for junior basketball to provide a pathway for girls to play at the elite level.
Former WNBL and Adelaide Lightning champion basketballer Rachael Sporn.
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ABC News
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Adelaide Lightning legend and former Australian Opals player Rachael Sporn said she was relieved to know the club will have a future in the competition after a tumultuous week.
"It's so wonderful to hear we have security now," Sporn said.
"We've been in the league since its inception in 1981 and I'm so relieved and grateful that it will continue well into the future.
"
Playing in the WNBL and Adelaide Lightning was my pathway to representing my country.
"
Pelligra still owns intellectual property
Although Adelaide's presence in the competition has been confirmed, there is no guarantee the Adelaide Lightning name will survive.
Adelaide's Isobel Borlase represents the side and also plays for Australia's national team.
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Basketball Australia
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As it stands, former owners still own the intellectual property of the Lightning name.
However, the premier is confident that issue will be resolved.
"I don't think there's a set a circumstances where there's not an Adelaide Lightning,"
he said.
"Credit to the Pelligra Group, they have a lot of interest in sports around the world and have made a significant contribution here in South Australia.
"Knowing Steve Wren and Ross and Paul Pelligra like I do, these are good people who enjoy sports.
"I'll be stunned if we don't see the Adelaide Lightning name continue in perpetuity."
He said beyond the three-year agreement with the state government, he's confident in the long-term future of the club.
"This is a team that's got a proven track record of success, rebuilding that culture I think can happen relatively quickly with a right new owner."
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