$35m JackJumpers sale may deliver Tasmanian WNBL team

• Silverdome upgrades boost JackJumpers' WNBL bid
• CEO Simon Brookhouse calls timing "beautiful" for expansion
• Improvements align with NBL and WNBL growth plans

The Tasmania JackJumpers are making a strong push to secure a WNBL team for the state's north with the latest Silverdome upgrades providing a significant boost to their bid, as reported on Code Sports Basketball.

JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan expressed his enthusiasm for the development, stating, "the timing of these upgrades is beautiful for our WNBL aspirations" and also that it aligned "perfectly with our vision to bring top-level women's basketball to Tasmania".

The Silverdome, which has faced criticism in the past, is set to undergo further improvements to enhance its facilities and spectator experience. These upgrades are seen as a crucial step in meeting the standards required for WNBL competition and aligning with the broader expansion plans of both the NBL and WNBL.

"We're committed to growing basketball at all levels in Tasmania, and a WNBL team would be a fantastic addition to our sporting landscape. The improved Silverdome will provide an excellent home for both our NBL and potential WNBL teams" Finnegan also said.

NBL and WNBL expansion plans gain momentum

The JackJumpers' push for a WNBL team comes amid a period of growth for both the NBL and WNBL. With the NBL successfully expanding to 10 teams in recent years, including the addition of the JackJumpers in 2021-22, the league is exploring further opportunities for growth.

The WNBL, Australia's premier women's basketball competition, is also looking to expand its footprint and the potential addition of a Tasmanian team would not only increase the league's presence but also provide more opportunities for female athletes in the state.

Brookhouse emphasised the importance of timing in their bid: "With the upgrades to the Silverdome and the positive momentum in both the NBL and WNBL, we believe now is the perfect time to push for a WNBL team. It would create a complete pathway for aspiring female basketballers in Tasmania."

As the JackJumpers continue to establish themselves in the NBL, currently sitting with a 14-14 record in the 2024-25 season, the club's ambitions extend beyond men's basketball. The addition of a WNBL team would create a comprehensive basketball program in Tasmania, further solidifying the sport's presence in the state.

With the Silverdome to receive much-needed improvements, the JackJumpers are optimistic about their chances of securing a WNBL license. Basketball fans in Tasmania eagerly await further developments as the club works towards expanding its basketball offerings and bringing top-level women's basketball to the Apple Isle.

NBL clubs to benefit from JackJumpers sale

All nine NBL clubs will share in a massive $8 million windfall from the sale of the Tasmania JackJumpers. Code Sport's Crosscourt has been told the NBL will gift every club $800,000 in a huge influx of funds stemming from the $35 million sale of the club.

It’s an unprecedented move from the NBL and owner Larry Kestelman, who has overseen the rise of the most successful Australian sporting expansion franchise ever. The JackJumpers won the NBL title in just their third season and have sold out every single home game.

Read more at Code Sports Basketball.