NBL-WNBL unification becomes a big step closer as Basketball Australia confirms discussions

The unification of Australia’s biggest basketball leagues is a step closer to reality with confirmation the NBL is in conversations with BA about the acquisition of the WNBL.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The NBL and Basketball Australia are officially engaged in talks about the potential acquisition of the WNBL in a bid to “unify” the sport.

Code Sports can reveal after months of informal talks, the NBL now formally has bums on seats in the boardroom in an attempt to thrash out a deal to secure a percentage of Australia’s oldest women’s sporting competition.

Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven confirmed BA are in talks with the NBL about the booming men’s league joining forces with the WNBL.

“We are in active discussions with the NBL and we remain very confident of achieving a great outcome for women’s basketball,” Scriven said.

It’s yet to be determined if the NBL want full or part ownership in the WNBL alongside other investors, but the men’s competition is focused on helping to reinvigorate the pioneering women’s league.

NBL officials, headed by owner Larry Kestelman, will now engage in regular discussions with Basketball Australia about a plan to assimilate moving forward.

Southside Flyers duo Maddison Rocci and Rebecca Cole pose with the WNBL Championship. Picture: Getty Images

The NBL wants to complete its due diligence on details such as operating costs, pay conditions and the commercialisation before putting pen to paper on any agreement.

NBL CEO David Stevenson says his league is keen to assist the WNBL to receive the attention and respect it deserves.

“The WNBL is one of the best women’s basketball leagues in the world and Australia’s oldest professional women’s sporting competition,” Stevenson said.

“We are now in active discussions with Basketball Australia about the WNBL and how we can unify the sport, which would be a great step forward.”

The NBL’s move to be involved in the WNBL comes as Basketball Australia has handed out multiple nondisclosure agreements to potential investors in the league, which dictates they keep sensitive information confidential.

As CODE Sports exclusively revealed, multi-millionaires Gerry Ryan and Robyn Denholm have also expressed interest in taking ownership of the WNBL.

Basketball Australia CEO Matt Scriven. Picture: Getty Images

It’s also understood there are other parties who have expressed interest and received NDA’s about the WNBL sale.

It remains unclear if any potential investors will be locked in time for the 2024-2025 WNBL season, which starts in the first week of November.

Opals star Sami Whitcomb recently declared it’s time the women’s league and NBL have more of a symbiotic relationship.

The challenge has now been set to see if the two parties can come together to work out a plan for the betterment of the WNBL and Australian basketball.

Originally published as NBL-WNBL unification becomes a big step closer as Basketball Australia confirms discussions