One of the WNBL's most iconic franchises will retain its spot in the league, thanks to an eleventh-hour intervention from their state government.
The Adelaide Lightning looked all-but-certain to exit the women's Australian basketball competition ahead of the 2025-26 season, after the franchise's previous ownership group relinquished their license last August.
But while it was speculated that the team would fold, or be significantly changed or reduced, the South Australian government has come to the rescue, ensuring the future of women's professional basketball in Adelaide remains strong.
WNBL franchised saved by state government at eleventh hour
The Adelaide Lightning will continue their legacy in the WNBL, after the SA state government committed more than half-a-million dollars to keep the iconic franchise afloat.
The five-time champions' future was reinforced by premier Peter Malinauskas, who said that keeping women's professional basketball in the City of Churches was an obvious priority.
"As soon as we heard that news as a state government, we got to work with engaging with the WNBL and basketball more broadly in our state to see if we can't come up with a solution that ensures that the next season of the WNBL has the Adelaide Lightning competing as it always has," Malinauskas said.
"To be honest, in my mind, that was always going to be true.
"There wasn't a set of circumstances where as a government we were going to tolerate the Adelaide Lightning not continuing within the WNBL.
"It is also important in inspiring the younger generation of young female basketballers to continue to participate."
New WNBL CEO Jennie Sager has said that the league is delighted to keep one of its most storied organisations active in the league.
"Adelaide has a rich history in the WNBL, producing many star athletes who are also Olympians and WNBA champions," she said.
"It was always our preference to keep a team here and we are incredibly grateful for the support from the South Australian government which allows us to do so."
The Lightning finished in sixth position last season with a 7-14 record, having won five league titles between 1994 and 2008.