Light on horizon for grand finalist Adelaide Lightning’s survival fight

As the Adelaide Lightning celebrates making its first grand final since 2007-08, The Advertiser can reveal there have been positive discussions behind closed doors about the club’s immediate future.

Nia Coffey drives to the basket for the Adelaide Lightning. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

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Adelaide Lightning’s management is in talks with a group which has expressed interest in taking over the licence of the WNBL club beyond this season.

As the team celebrates making its first grand final since 2007-08, The Advertiser can reveal there have been positive discussions behind closed doors about its immediate future.

The Lightning has been staring at possible extinction since news broke in November that owner Grant Kelley would hand back the licence unless he could find a sponsor or investor to cover a $500,000-a-season black hole.

Adelaide Lightning players celebrate reaching the grand final on Thursday night. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Talks with the State Government in December have not progressed but chief executive of Adelaide Basketball, Ben Kavenagh, confirmed he was optimistic about discussions with the group of potential new owners which he would not reveal.

“The Sports Minister was here tonight, the media, 1000 people who were engaged in the game, the WNBL and Basketball Australia were all here, and I don’t think anyone wants to see this club die,” Kavenagh said.

“Nobody wants to see the club go … including this group that is gathering quite a bit of energy and a broad portfolio.

The chief executive of Adelaide Basketball, Ben Kavenagh. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“The evidence of the basketball-loving public coming out tonight when it was ticketed for the first time this year showed there is lots of excitement about it. And I think these sort of results only cement the fact that this club needs to remain a part of this state.”

The Lighting made the WNBL Grand Final by beating Melbourne in a straight-sets semi-final series at home on Thursday night.

It’s Adelaide’s first grand final since its championship season in 2007-08 and only its second in 19 years.

This is also the first time in six years the Lightning has made the finals and two years ago they finished bottom with just three wins.

After round 7 this year the Lightning sat second last and three wins outside the top four but stormed home.

“This group is pretty special.”

- @AdelLightning coach Chris Lucas. pic.twitter.com/rMWYPrbfpK

— Reece Homfray (@reecehomfray) January 31, 2019

Coach Chris Lucas remains adamant the uncertainty surrounding the team’s future has not played a part in its stunning rise to the championship decider.

“My job is to get the best out of this group and that’s what I continue to do,” Lucas said.

“I’m sure they talk about it internally, but it’s been no catalyst or driving factor — this group of girls are good to coach and they play hard.”