Arriving in time for the 2018/2019 season, the deal will see FOX SPORTS continue to broadcast and stream one game a week, plus every finals game live, ad-break free and in HD with SBS signing on as the Leagues free-to-air broadcast partner for the first time.
SBS will simulcast nine regular season games live on Saturday afternoons at 3pm, those games also being live streamed via SBS On Demand and the SBS Sport website.
The partnership will see the Chemist Warehouse WNBL reach more fans across the country, giving the league a great opportunity to increase its visibility and accessibility.
Head of FOX SPORTS, Peter Campbell said, “We put the WNBL back on national TV last year and now, through our new partnership with SBS, we will help grow the game even more.
“We will work with SBS and the WNBL to bring women’s basketball and these incredible athletes to more fans around the country.
“The WNBL complements Foxtel’s strong basketball offering. From the NBA and WNBA on ESPN, to the NBL on FOX SPORTS and the Opals’ and Boomers’ World Cup campaigns, there is plenty of live action to look forward to,” Mr. Campbell said.
“This is SBS’s first time broadcasting the WNBL, and continues SBS’s commitment to making the best of domestic sport accessible to all Australians, as well as raising the profile of women’s elite sport,” said Ken Shipp, SBS Director of Sport.
“This partnership with Basketball Australia and FOX SPORTS allows SBS to bring the WNBL to all Australians live, free and in HD. Basketball’s popularity continues to rise in Australia, it has an amazing ability to bring together diverse communities through the game.”
Entering its 38th year, the Chemist Warehouse WNBL continues to inspire players at the grassroots level, with clear pathways from junior domestic basketball all the way through to international level opportunities. Basketball Australia CEO Anthony Moore was delighted with the possibilities this new broadcast partnership provided the Chemist Warehouse WNBL.
“With SBS joining FOX SPORTS and Chemist Warehouse as the League’s major partners, our WNBL athletes will be visible to more fans as we continue to deliver Australia’s longest running elite women’s sporting competition,” said Moore.
“Through SBS, we will be able to reach a new demographic that can watch a competition where the quality and competitiveness on court has never been stronger.”
Head of the Chemist Warehouse WNBL Sally Phillips added, “I know I speak on behalf of all WNBL fans when I say that this is a truly great day for Australian Women’s basketball. “With FOX SPORTS and SBS joining forces, it will ensure that the league will receive more exposure than ever before.
“This is a strong and meaningful broadcast partnership and I am thrilled that basketball fans around Australia will now have greater opportunities to watch our world-class athletes hit the court each week, it’s a game-changing deal.”
