Basketball Australia statement on ABC cutting coverage of WNBL
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation announced Monday that it would end coverage of the WNBL. The decision of ABC, the country’s national broadcaster, to cut coverage of the women’s professional league in Australia drew ire from Olympian, WNBA player and Canberra Capitals center Lauren Jackson. “I would say it’s a very dark day for women’s sport. It’s a huge mistake I believe,” she told the Canberra Times.
The decrease in coverage results from ABC’s decision to cut 10 percent of jobs across the board and broadcasting games of the pro women’s soccer league as well.
Other high profile players who are also on WNBA squads and currently playing in the WNBL include Penny Taylor (Phoenix Mercury), Cappie Pondexter (New York Liberty) and Kelsey Griffin (Connecticut Sun). Both Taylor and Pondexter play for the Dandenong Rangers. Griffin plays for the Bendigo Spirit.
Pondexter’s former Liberty teammate and Australian national team member Leilani Mitchell also plays in the league as well as former Tulsa Shock player and Olympian Liz Cambage.
Basketball Australia issued a release on ABC’s decision:
Basketball Australia today confirmed that as a result of the Federal Government cuts to ABC funding, the 2014/15 Wattle Valley WNBL season would be the last shown on ABC TV live around Australia.
Anthony Moore, BA CEO, said “We are incredibly disappointed to lose ABC Sport as a broadcast partner. The ABC has been a loyal & valued partner of Basketball Australia and the WNBL for many years and it has consistently delivered high quality women’s basketball matches to homes around the country.”
Moore added “The Australian Sports Commission review into the WNBL will be released in early December to the basketball community. This report deals with broadcast opportunities and BA will now turn our attention to the options available to continue to showcase the Wattle Valley WNBL to Australian basketball fans.”
The remainder of the Wattle Valley WNBL 2014/15 season will continue to be broadcast on ABC up to and including the Grand Final to be held on Sunday 8th March, 2015.
