Super Netball: Craig Hutchison emerges as latest potential white knight for eighth franchise
Craig Hutchison, the owner of radio network SEN and NBL side Perth Wildcats, could soon add a Super Netball team to his growing empire. LINDA PEARCE reports on the latest development.
Netball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
As one potential private owner of the eighth Super Netball franchise has retreated, another with deep pockets and two Australian sporting teams already in its stable has emerged in the form of media identity and businessman Craig Hutchison.
While it was revealed on Tuesday that former Hawthorn and Melbourne Victory chair Geoff Lord’s Belgravia Group had not submitted the expected solo bid for the licence handed back by Collingwood last month after seven years, CODE Sports is aware of interest expressed by the Sports Entertainment Group.
SEG, under CEO Hutchison, has extensive media interests including TV and radio programming, content creation and live entertainment. It also owns NBL’s Perth Wildcats, WNBL club Bendigo Spirit and the Otago Nuggets in the NZNBL, after holding a quarter stake in another basketball team, Melbourne United, from 2018-21.
Hutchison, who has been contacted for comment, is currently in the UK. It is unclear whether a proposed team would be based regionally or in Melbourne, as a rival to the Vixens, with a metropolitan location believed to be the clear preference of broadcast partner Foxtel.
The only bidder to publicly confirm its submission before or after the Tuesday 5pm deadline was Netball Victoria, which owns the Vixens, and is determined to retain a second SSN presence in the talent-rich state — but this one based in the north-western “growth corridor” of Geelong (which is currently without a suitable stadium), Ballarat and Bendigo.
Yet although a second NV-operated team would also be funded by the grassroots playing base, given that none of the existing seven in SSN runs at a profit and the Magpies’ program racked up substantial operating losses before its demise, there is a feeling among those concerned for the league’s future that more private investment is essential for it to flourish.
NV CEO Andrea Pearman confirmed she had been aware of speculation over Hutchison/SEG’s interest, which the state association would welcome.
“The more passionate people (there are) about netball the better, and we’ve always said all along that our No.1 priority is to make sure the licence stays in Victoria,’’ Pearman said.
“So if Craig is successful in that then we’d be very happy to work out how we can work together. Bendigo, with the Commonwealth Games, is obviously a very key audience for us as well, so definitely very happy to work with others.
“If the take out of all this is that there’s legitimate people who want to invest in the growth of our game in Victoria, then I’m up for that. In terms of whether it goes to Netball Victoria or another credible licence(e), I think the game wins overall. We have never been saying it needs to be us; it just needs to stay in the state.’’
No interstate bidders have yet emerged following Netball Tasmania’s backflip due to the short time frame to build a team from scratch, with NV having expressed its disappointment that Netball Australia had opened the submission process nationwide once Collingwood withdrew.
NSW and Queensland are both home to two teams, but only the Storm Group’s Sunshine Coast Lightning is not owned by a member organisation.
While Pearman said she could not predict the outcome, she does not consider a “deal-breaker” to be Fox Sport’s desire for a city sibling for the Vixens, whose interests and supporter base NV is determined to protect.
“Look, we’ve put our best foot forward,’’ Pearman said. “We’re really happy with what we’ve been able to achieve in the limited time period. We feel confident that we could do it; it just comes down to who puts the best proposal in at the time.’’
A subcommittee including Netball Australia chair Wendy Archer and board members John O’Sullivan, Peter Legg and Mo’onia Gerrard, plus CEO Kelly Ryan and external consultants David Gallop and Colin Smith will assess the submissions and make a recommendation within a fortnight.
Originally published as Super Netball: Craig Hutchison emerges as latest potential white knight for eighth franchise
Swifts elevate natural leader after shining through dark period
She’s stood tall through some of the darkest days for her club and sport but Maddy Turner hopes there are calmer waters ahead when she steps into a captaincy role with the Swifts.
Read more
‘Standing on ancestors’: The Black Swans trailblazer playing for family
Playing for her cancer-stricken mother, ‘hero’ father and a generation of Torres Strait Islander girls, this Black Swans player is blazing a trail she hopes others will follow.
Read more