Netball 2022: NA open to prospect of selling Super Netball to private investors

The players want it. The fans want it. Now Netball Australia’s board is open to considering it. Could the Suncorp Super Netball competition be sold to private investors?

Netball Australia’s board has confirmed the sport is open to the prospect of “selling all or part” of the Suncorp Super Netball league, but won’t be rushed into any negotiations as multiple bidders prepare to save the sport from financial trouble.

The NA board held a meeting last night to discuss News Corp’s exclusive news that a private consortium had offered a $6.5m buyout of the SSN to help erase the sport’s growing debts and grow netball into a commercially-viable professional sport.

West Coach Fever won the 2022 Suncorp Super Netball championship. Picture: Getty Images

Led by entrepreneur Matt Berriman and with Diamonds legend Liz Ellis on the board, the group sent a proposal to NA chair Marina Go that sent shockwaves through the sport and drew immediate praise from the playing group who have backed the idea.

But NA insist they won’t rush into negotiations with Berriman, claiming they’ve been approached by multiple parties on how to fix NA’s financial mess and any moves to consider privatisation would only come after a “full and formal valuation of the league.”

“Netball Australia is conducting a review of the Suncorp Super Netball League, in line with the State of the Game Review, and as part of normal business practice in maintaining the world’s best netball competition,” Go said in a statement.

“As part of this process, a full and formal valuation will be done of the league which will inform any decisions, which was always intended to occur as a matter of due diligence. This is only one part of the entire review process.

“We appreciate the interest we have had from multiple parties who are looking to align with our sport and our league. This continues to show the strength and power of netball in Australia.

“Netball Australia takes its responsibility to grow the game commercially seriously and will complete all necessary due diligence on any future commercial arrangements. Taking the first commercial offer of support may not be in the best interest of the sport in the near future or the long term.

“Netball is the number one female sport in Australia and neither our sport or Netball Australia are on the brink of financial ruin, but we are committed to exploring financial and commercial opportunities to ensure Netball Australia is positioned for growth.

“We look forward to working with all parties who are aligned with us to grow the game and we are excited about what the future holds for the Suncorp Super Netball League.”