More than thirty years of tradition to continue with Adelaide’s WNBL side keeping its original name

A mutually beneficial agreement has been reached that Adelaide’s WNBL team will keep the name it has had for all but one of its 33 seasons.

Adelaide Lightning has been saved. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The historic Lightning name has been saved with the Adelaide franchise to keep the moniker it has been known by for all but one of its 33 WNBL seasons.

The WNBL, on Friday, officially confirmed the South Australian Government, and Pelligra Group had reached a mutually beneficial agreement to keep the Lightning name alive.

CODE Sports had been told the WNBL and former franchise owner Pelligra agreed to terms this week on the sale of the Lightning’s intellectual property, ensuring the five-time champions will keep their name as the league enters its new era.

WNBL CEO Jennie Sager welcomed the news. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

WNBL CEO Jennie Sager said the Adelaide Lightning is a cornerstone of the WNBL.

“The Adelaide Lightning has won five WNBL championships and plays an important part in the success of the WNBL,” Sager said.

“Our goal is to set a global standard for women’s sport and we’re proud to continue to inspire the next generation athletes in South Australian basketball.”

It’s understood the transaction, subject to confidentiality, went through on Thursday, and with WNBL free agency set to open on Monday, incoming Adelaide Lightning head coach Kerryn Mitchell said her focus is now on building a championship-winning roster.

“Keeping the name isn’t just about the history, it’s about the future and looking forward,” Mitchell said.

“I’m eager to get stuck in and build a strong and competitive team with the incredible talent we have in Australia.

“The club has done so much more than win games, it has created role models, built pathways and made young girls believe they belong in sport.”

Multiple sources said WNBL clubs had until mid-Thursday to lock away their own out-of-contract players and any who did not reach agreement are now free agents.

Kerryn Mitchell during her time as assistant coach at the Southside Flyers. Picture: Supplied

This week, CODE Sports revealed the franchise had appointed the respected Tall Ferns assistant as its new head coach.

Mitchell has been tasked with compiling a roster with a local flavour, her key targets guard Tayla Brazel, veteran Olympian Steph Talbot and in-demand rising star Isobel Borlase, who is being courted by almost every WNBL club.

It’s understood the transaction, which is subject to confidentiality, went through Thursday. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

New WNBL owners Wollemi Capital, the NBL and Basketball Australia, led by Sager have powered through a litany of issues to shore up the takeover and reach a point where clubs and players can finally sign contracts.

The Lightning almost collapsed when Pelligra’s attempts to walk back a decision to hand in its WNBL licence was refused.

It took intervention from the state government to save the Adelaide franchise, a $1.7 million commitment over the next three years ensuring the league could stand up the club for season 2025-26 and beyond.

Originally published as More than thirty years of tradition to continue with Adelaide’s WNBL side keeping its original name