With the right people on board, we strongly believe it’s entering its Matildas slash Caitlin Clark era – and about to get the resourcing and attention the league and its players have always deserved.
Even better? Lauren Jackson is set to drive the transformation of the WNBL as its newly appointed part-time Special Advisor.
In an exciting update, the WNBL has announced that the 7-time WNBL champion, 4-time WNBL MVP, and participant in five WNBA All-Star teams will play what they say is a pivotal role in guiding the WNBL evolution under its new owners, the Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate and the NBL Group, who officially “take the reins” of the league in April this year.
If the name Wollemi Capital Group sounds familiar – it’s the family office of leading Australian businesswoman Robyn Denholm, who is currently the chair of the Tesla board (just casually). Denholm also has a 30% stake in the Sydney Kings men’s team, and the Sydney Flames in the WNBL – of which her daughter Victoria is President. Backing women’s sport clearing runs in the family, and it’s something we love to see.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of this next chapter for the WNBL,” Jackson said. “This League has been at the heart of my journey in basketball. Now, I have the chance to help create an exciting future where our talented players thrive in a professional environment worthy of their skill and passion. I can’t wait to get started.”
Retiring from professional basketball in 2016 after a highly decorated career, Jackson has had a lasting legacy in both Australia and global basketball. In a statement, the WNBL says that Jackson’s mission is clear: “to reignite the WNBL as a powerhouse of women’s sport, bringing it to more fans, more homes, and more headlines across Australia.”
Jackson’s role with the WNBL will be part-time, as she continues her work as Head of Women in Basketball at Basketball Australia, and She Hoops – an organisation empowering women in basketball through pathways, mentoring, and education.
For WNBL’s new CEO Jennie Sager, bringing Lauren on-board as Special Advisor was a “no-brainer.”
“She’s a trailblazer, a five-time Olympian, and someone who knows what it takes to build success,” she says. “Her deep connection to the League, her experience as a player, and her vision for its future will be instrumental in helping us raise the bar and deliver a bigger, bolder WNBL.”
The League’s new owners have ambitious plans, with a focus on reimagining what women’s basketball can be in Australia. The collaborative effort between Basketball Australia, the new ownership group, players, and clubs is already underway, with Jackson helping guide key decisions as the WNBL embarks on this game-changing growth journey.
The WNBL will officially enter its new era when ownership transfers on April 2 – and here at Missing Perspectives, we can’t wait to watch the WNBL thrive this the year.
Top photo source: AAP Image/Joel Carrett