WNBL CEO Jennie Sager breaks silence after months of negotiation between clubs and new owners

After months of negotiation between new ownership and WNBL clubs, CEO Jennie Sager has broken her silence, declaring the next era ‘a crucial step’ in unlocking basketball’s full potential.

WNBL chief executive Jennie Sager has spoken for the time since Code Sports revealed the transfer of the women’s league to new ownership was finally complete.

After a two-week delay where owners of up to five incumbent clubs had considered quitting the WNBL amid disputes over new licencing agreements, The Robyn Denholm-NBL-led consortium is now free to begin rebuilding a women’s professional league that had fallen into disarray.

Following months of negotiations, all eight current clubs have decided they want to be part of the new league. Code Sports has been told seven have been accepted but the future of Adelaide Lightning remains up in the air. Last year, the Lightning’s owner, property developer Pelligra, decided to hand its licence back to Basketball Australia.

Steph Talbot and the Lightning may not return to WNBL. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

That process is complete on May 9 and, while the Lightning now want to be a part of the new league, Code Sports has been told the new league plans to either find a new owner or stand up its own franchise in the City of Churches.

In a statement, Sager confirmed the new ownership would run an eight-team competition in season 2025-26 but did not address the future of the Adelaide franchise.

“The WNBL is strongest when united and I’m proud that our clubs are aligned in this shared vision,” Sager said.

“We are committed to delivering a successful, eight-team competition for the 2025-26 season and excited to work with clubs and players as we enter this bold new chapter.

Jennie Sager says the league will push ahead with eight teams. Picture: Supplied

“New investment in areas such as resourcing, fan engagement, marketing, and broadcast marks a crucial step in unlocking the full potential of women’s basketball in Australia.

“Basketball is exploding in Australia and we are committed to developing athletes at all stages, whether that’s improving the pathways for young athletes or growing the professionals on and off the court so they are ready to transition to the next chapter.

“Part of this is also making sure they are compensated for their talent, hard work, and dedication.”

Code Sports has been told the Lightning had been a primary agitator during negotiations over the new agreements with the WNBL.

Adelaide general manager Steve Wren wrote to Sager on Monday, asking for clarity on whether the club would be granted a licence in the new league so it could inform players staff and sponsors of its next steps.

Jade Melbourne says players are optimistic. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Canberra superstar Jade Melbourne said players were excited at the prospect of a revitalised league.

“All the conversations I’m hearing around it are exciting,” Melbourne said.

“We’ve seen what (NBL owner) Larry Kestelman has done with the NBL so it’s exciting for us.

“Hopefully the teams are excited, it’s only going to get better and better with more people involved and eyes on the league.”

Free agency is set to begin in early May.

Done Deal: How WNBL new ownership convinced clubs to commit amid player limbo

The battle over revamped WNBL licences that had stalled the women’s league’s relaunch under new ownership is finally over.

Two weeks after the planned April 2 handover from Basketball Australia to new ownership passed amid rebellion from several current clubs, a consortium led by Tesla boss Robyn Denholm’s Wollemi Capital and Larry Kestelman’s NBL has officially taken control.

Sydney Flames – owned by Denholm – reigning champions Bendigo Spirit and Perth Lynx – both owned by Melbourne media magnate Craig Hutchison’s SEN group – were the first clubs to sign on earlier this month.

Code Sports has been told owners of four of the other five clubs have signed up in the past two days.

Ownership has officially been passed on to Robyn Denholm (pictured) and Larry Keslelman. Picture: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

It’s understood United, Capitals, Flyers and Fire have all been accepted into the new league but the Lightning’s owner, billionaire property developer Pelligra, is on the outer.

Code Sports can reveal there were as many as five club owners – Geelong, Canberra, Southside, Townsville and Adelaide – which had, as late as last weekend, considered ending their association with the WNBL.

Owners, some who had been losing close to $1 million per season, were concerned the commercial agreements, coupled with the new regime’s steadfast requirement for each club to lift its on and off-court standards across the board, would be too cost prohibitive.

But it’s understood 11th-hour weekend crisis talks, led by Denholm and new WNBL chief executive Jennie Sager, had convinced the concerned clubs to make an about-face.

It’s understood Pelligra wants back in but multiple WNBL sources told Code Sports it was “too late” and the league was preparing to either seek a buyer for the Lightning or stand up a new club in Adelaide itself.

It’s understood Pelligra, which has bled over $3 million in its three years of owning the Lightning, met with Denholm last year and told her it was not interested in continuing in the new league. The licence was unable to be sold and has been handed back to Basketball Australia.

Paris Olympic bronze medal-winning Opal Steph Talbot, contracted in Adelaide next season, said last week players were in limbo as talks dragged on.

“It’s all a bit of the unknown still. Obviously, the new league owners were supposed to take over but it’s just taking a little bit longer,” Talbot said.

Steph Talbot (L) said players had been left in limbo. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

“Adelaide for example, our owners, they’re a bit up in the air.

“A lot has happened in the last week so we’ll see what comes out at the end of it.

“I have another year on my contract and it’s home for me. My partner, dog are there. I already spend half a year away so ideally I’d love to stay but it’s got to be the right situation at the same time.”

Code Sports can reveal the WNBL is eyeing off an early May start to free agency, which will be a relief to a playing cohort that has been anticipating change – with many waiting to secure their own futures.

The Denholm-Larry Kestelman union has been prepared to either stand up its own clubs or find as many new investors as it needed to in case any of the current owners decided not to go ahead.

Larry Kestelman speaks during the 2025 WNBL Awards Night in February. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images for WNBL

That gave it significant negotiating power, with the constant messaging to owners they had to be prepared to “level up” with significant investment if they truly wanted to be part of the effort to turn around a league that had hit rock bottom.

Southside owner Gerry Ryan, who has poured millions into women’s basketball over the past three decades, said his decision to sign on with the new league was not a financial one.

Gerry Ryan, Owner of the Southside Flyers, looks after winning the 2024 WNBL Championship. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“It was important for the Flyers to continue in the WNBL,” Ryan said.

“This is certainly not a business decision, but a commitment to women’s sport, a genuine passion for supporting our athletes, what is best for the players and ensure they receive the recognition they deserve as world class athletes.

“After supporting women’s basketball in Australia for 30 years, I am pleased to maintain this support through the Flyers.

“Our goal is to help grow the league, expand opportunities for female athletes, and inspire the next generation of young girls through visible role models they can look up to and dream of becoming.”

Originally published as WNBL CEO Jennie Sager breaks silence after months of negotiation between clubs and new owners