South Australian hoops royalty Phil Smyth weighs in on the Adelaide Lightning’s potential WNBL demise

Without a team in Adelaide, the WNBL faces a real battle to grow the game says basketball great Phil Smyth, thus why government support is required.

South Australian basketball royalty Phil Smyth has urged the state government to stump up the cash to save the Adelaide Lightning, declaring he fears for the WNBL’s future without a team from the City of Churches.

The Lightning face the prospect of folding unless the SA government can come to the rescue with significant dollars from the state’s coffers.

Smyth – who played and coached the 36ers – believes the WNBL will battle to grow the game without a side from Adelaide.

Think you’re a sports fanatic? Take the test. Play daily trivia for FREE on CODE Sports. Sign up here 

Phil Smyth in 2018. Picture: Keri Megelus

Phil Smyth during happier days for South Australian basketball as an Adelaide 36ers’ player in 1993. Picture: Supplied

“A WNBL competition minus Adelaide makes no sense, so I’d love to see the government help out,” said Smyth, who led the 36ers to three championships as a coach.

“It’s always sad when history is going to be lost. Sport has become a business now and it’s about making money, which I understand, but there needs to be a balance because I believe it could be dangerous times ahead for the women’s game without an Adelaide team.

“If the Lightning go it will make it difficult for officials to sell the competition to the TV networks and sponsors.

“The WNBL needs the attention to help the competition return to what it once was as a stronghold, so it worries me if Adelaide aren’t in the league to maximise its reach.

“The league without Adelaide might be okay in the short-term, but definitely not in the long-term.”

Paris Olympic bronze medallist Steph Talbot will be one of the losses for Adelaide Lightning and the WNBL if the team folds. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Smyth – whose wife Jenny Cheeseman played, captained and coached the Opals – is also concerned about the state’s rising talent leaving for other sports if Adelaide doesn’t have a top-tier women’s team.

South Australia is known as a hub for emerging hoops stars, but these players need a professional WNBL team to aspire towards.

“Otherwise so many young players – either currently playing basketball or weighing up their chosen sport – could be lost to other sports like the AFLW and netball,” he said.

“That is a real worry when it comes to the future of women’s basketball in South Australia.

“The state has long been a breeding ground for basketball, especially women’s hoops, but the state and the sports needs a WNBL team from Adelaide.”

Originally published as South Australian hoops royalty Phil Smyth weighs in on the Adelaide Lightning’s potential WNBL demise