Basketball WA puts Perth Lynx WNBL licence up for sale

Facing ongoing losses in the operation of its WNBL team and advising that it is "focused on basketball participation, pathways and development" rather than operating in elite sport, Basketball WA has announced that it is looking to seel the Perth Lynx licence.

Amid speculation that other WNBL owners will do the same, NBL owner Larry Kestelman is understood to be working with Basketball Australia to help revitalise the struggling league, which lost more than $5 million last season.

With the Perth Lynx the only WNBL team whose licence is managed by a state sporting organisation, a statement from Basketball WA advised that its Board "has determined its role is focused on basketball participation, pathways and development, and not the sole operation of a professional sporting team.

"Thus Basketball WA is now looking for interested parties to either invest in the Perth Lynx through Basketball WA, Partner with Basketball WA to run the Perth Lynx or take full control and ownership of the license for the Perth Lynx team."

With Basketball WA to commence a market process to seek expressions of interest from suitable parties, the body notes that "the Perth Lynx play a major part in ensuring a quality women’s basketball pathway in Western Australia and Basketball WA is 100% committed to ensuring a quality women’s basketball pathway exists in the state."

With funding has been confirmed by Western Australian Government for the 2023/2024 season, no changes to existing Perth Lynx operations will occur at this stage.

Basketball WA's statement advised "clear objectives have been developed and specific criteria is to be met by any potential investor, partner or new owner which will minimise the impact on the future of Perth Lynx operations."

Meanwhile, NBL is still pushing the sale of the Tasmania JackJumpers club, with the League aiming to have the process completed before the start of the new season.

Speaking at the announcement that Mitsubishi had rejoined the NBL as a sponsor after a 23-year break, Kestelman said the process to privatise the league-owned JackJumpers was underway.

Image: Perth Lynx on court. Credit: Basketball WA.