No fairytale ending for brave Lightning but their story is not over yet

There was no fairytale ending for the Adelaide Lightning in tonight’s WNBL grand final but this is not the end of their story.

There was no fairytale ending for the Adelaide Lightning in Saturday night’s WNBL grand final but this is not the end of their story.

The Lightning which had been so brave all season was denied a championship by losing game three of their grand final series 93-73 to the UC Capitals in Canberra which left players in tears both on the bench and on the court at the final buzzer.

But the Sunday Mail can reveal their immediate future appears secure.

Three months after current owner Grant Kelley announced he would hand back the licence at season’s end, a new ownership group could be announced as early as this week.

A private consortium chaired by the Lightning’s current president Bruce Spangler is expected to complete a formal application for the takeover in days and it will be submitted to the WNBL and Basketball Australia for approval.

It means the Lightning, whose plight and subsequent courage to defy the odds ignited the state’s sporting passion, will live on.

Kayla Alexander of Adelaide Lightning shoots during game three of the WNBL Grand Final series between UC Capitals and the Adelaide Lightning at AIS Arena. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

The State Government’s sponsorship through the Motor Accident Commission will continue next year and there have been more discussions with Sports Minister Corey Wingard who was courtside for game two of the grand final this week.

“We’re in pretty advanced discussions with a group of well credentialed South Australians who love the team and have been associated with basketball and are passionate about taking it to the next level,” Kelley said in Canberra last night.

“We (current ownership Adelaide Basketball) came in to this to help the team and we’re coming to the end of a two-year horizon, and in a certain sense I don’t feel that it’s mission accomplished but we’ve achieved a lot and now it’s time for somebody to take it to the next level.

“The other thing is just how proud I am of (coach) Chris (Lucas) and the team, one of the things that’s been noteworthy here is in the midst of adversity they’ve thrived and the way the city has gotten behind the team — South Australians love a success story but more importantly they love an underdog.”

Despite its Cinderella story which drew 3700 people to Adelaide Arena for game two on Wednesday, Kelley said he did not second-guess his decision to step away from the team.

Steph Blicavs of the Adelaide Lightning in action against Kia Nurse of the Capitals. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

“Sentimentally, yes, but the reality is it’s very hard for private capital to provide a pathway for elite women’s sport,” Kelley said.

“And therefore I think this community based model with a government-private partnership like you see in Canberra and Melbourne Boomers in Melbourne — that’s the model and what we need to evolve to with the next ownership group.”

Adelaide was always going to be up against it at AIS Arena but bravely stared down a hostile 4200-strong crowd to push the Capitals for three quarters. That was without their MVP Nia Coffey having an impact after she struck early foul trouble and co-captain Nicole Seekamp rolling her ankle.

Colleen Planeta top scored for the Lightning with 15 points and four other players had double figures including Aimie Clydesdale with 14.

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Originally published as No fairytale ending for brave Lightning but their story is not over yet