Laura Hodges returns to basketball with the Adelaide Lightning as the NBL unveils its new TV broadcast deal for this season
Opals star Laura Hodges is back with the Adelaide Lightning as the NBL announces it is switching channels to SBS and ESPN.
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OPALS star Laura Hodges is returning to WNBL basketball as a mum after signing on with the Adelaide Lightning for next season.
The 35-year-old four-time Olympian gave birth to daughter Ava in October and always harboured a desire to return to the court.
Now it has become official with the club confirming her spot on the roster for the 2019-20 season under coach Chris Lucas.
Hodges represented Australia at the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics and won a gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Cup.
Her last WNBL season was ruined by a finger injury almost before it even began in 2017-18 and she is excited to be back, particularly after watching the Lightning’s resurgence and grand final appearance this year.
“I think I bring a lot of experience and some wisdom,” Hodges said.
“In modern-day sport, not many people get to see out their career at one club for many reasons.
“I’m really thrilled at this opportunity because Lightning was the club I grew up supporting and barracking for during probably its most successful period.”
In men’s basketball news, the NBL is set to reveal its new TV broadcast deal with games to be shown on ESPN on Foxtel and SBS on free-to-air. It comes after games were shown on Channel Nine and Fox Sports last season.
A total of 67 games will be shown on free-to-air on SBS Viceland and 59 on ESPN, while every game will be streamed live on the SBS On Demand platform.
In addition, seven international games featuring the Boomers, USA, New Zealand and Canada next month will be shown on SBS in the lead up to the FIBA World Cup.
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“It maintains our commitment to make the game available to more people to watch when and how they choose across different platforms and will continue to grow our audience across Australia,” NBL owner Larry Kestelman said.
“The agreement means the number of games broadcast on free-to-air television will almost double, making our national league accessible to more Australians, with SBS Viceland becoming the new free-to-air home of the NBL along with more coverage available on SBS On Demand.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au