Bullets buoyed by historic move to unite basketball in Australia

The National Basketball League (NBL) and the Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate (WCGS) have formed a consortium to acquire a majority interest in the Women's National Basketbal League (WNBL) following the completion of the 2024/25 season, with Basketball Australia maintaining a minority interest in the League.

“We are proud to be part of a group that will now have an opportunity to rethink what the best version of the WNBL can look like, and set the direction for the future as we did for the NBL. We believe this is a truly exciting proposition for us, the players, the fans, and everyone involved,” NBL Owner Larry Kestelman said. 

“The female athletes in the sport, as well as younger girls aspiring for greatness, deserve better and we believe we can, with time, deliver something to be proud of, but do not underestimate the work and challenges ahead.”

Under the new ownership structure, the consortium will take control of the league, with the NBL to operate the WNBL, from April 2, 2025. 

“The ownership of the Brisbane Bullets are in support of the acquisition of the WNBL by the NBL. We are optimistic about what this integration may mean for the Club and for the city of Brisbane,” Bullets Owner Jason Levien said.

While South East Queensland has not had a WNBL program since the 2015/16 season, there is no shortage of talent in the area. Participation rates are soaring for both females and males, and the NBL1 North competition boasts elite talent across the board.

“This move is a fantastic step forward for basketball in Australia. Aligning both the men’s and women’s games at the highest level will further broaden the opportunities for our athletes. We have seen such growth in the NBL over several years and as a Club we are buoyed by the prospect of what this will mean for the future of Women’s Basketball and the Brisbane Bullets,” Bullets Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Watts added.

“Male and female basketball participation in South East Queensland continues to grow exponentially and with our male & female academy launching in 2024, today’s announcement highlights a strong pathway for all athletes.”