WNBL stars remain in contract limbo after latest free agency setback

Amid an unprecedented upheaval in the historic women’s league, the free agency period has been pushed back again leaving dozens of out-of-contract stars in the dark.

Dozens of out-of-contract WNBL stars remain in limbo after free agency was postponed for a second time. Picture: Getty Images

Dozens of out-of-contract WNBL stars remain in limbo after free agency was postponed for a second time, two months after it could have opened.

Amid an unprecedented upheaval in the historic women’s league, the new date for free agency is now Thursday, June 14. It could have commenced on April 8, was initially slated for May 10 then moved to Monday (June 10), before the latest shift.

League operator Basketball Australia, which is yet to unveil a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, cited the hold up was due to “a club license transfer currently in progress.”

“Free Agency is unable to open as planned, a statement, released on the league’s socials at 6pm on Sunday, read.

Dozens of out-of-contract WNBL stars remain in limbo after free agency was postponed for a second time. Picture: Getty Images

“It is anticipated the transfer will be complete in the coming days, and therefore the WNBL Free Agency Period open date and time has been revised … to enable this to occur.

“Terms of the CBA for the upcoming season will be announced prior to this date.”

Melbourne Boomers licence has shifted to Geelong and it’s understood Basketball WA’s move to transfer Perth Lynx licence is well underway.

Despite the lengthy embargo period It’s no secret clubs, players and their agents are in unofficial talks, given the importance of job security and roster construction - they just can’t sign deals.

As negotiations on the CBA and licence transfers continue, BA is in the throes of deciding which private consortium will be the WNBL’s saviour, amid reports proven entity and NBL white knight Larry Kestelman and Tesla Australia boss Robyn Denholm are up against a group led by former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo and entrepreneur Dorry Kordahi, who once owned stakes in NBL clubs Sydney and Illawarra.

Originally published as WNBL stars remain in contract limbo after latest free agency setback