WNBL decision close for JackJumpers, the club’s must address areas
Tasmania could soon be home to two professional basketball teams with an announcement expected on the JackJumpers’ WNBL franchise bid in coming weeks. Plus, five big ticket items for the club in the off-season.
The JackJumpers will know in two weeks if Tasmania has been granted a licence to field a team in the WNBL in 2026-27 and the club’s new owners are right behind the push to create a women’s outfit within their franchise.
JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan has worked hard to push for a women’s team and she is close to realising her dream.
“I have submitted a request to the NBL for a licence and I am very much hoping that will come through in the next couple of weeks,” Finnegan said.
“It would be amazing if we get it.
“I have just come back from an International Women’s Day talk in Devonport and there’s a buzz in the northwest of the state around the potential of having women’s games played in the north and north-west.”
Altor Capital Group, which brought the JackJumpers franchise last month, are backing Finnegan all the way.
“Our new owners have made it clear to me a WNBL team is their highest priority right now and I have been working closely with them to ensure they are supporting my bid,” Finnegan said.
“As late as yesterday I had a very long conversation giving them an update on it. They are very happy with where it’s at.”
Representatives from Altor will increase their engagement with their Tasmanian asset in the next few months.
“They are going to start making their way to Tassie fairly regularly,” Finnegan said.
“We will look at the structure of our business and hopefully by the time they get here we will talking about an expansion to our front office to cater for a WNBL team.
“I’ve got my fingers crossed that will happen.”
A JackJumpers WNBL team is also likely to secure government funding support.
“The government have certainly indicated to me that should we be awarded a licence they would absolutely support that bid,” Finnegan said.
JACKJUMPERS TOP FIVE PRIORITIES IN 2025
The JackJumpers have several tasks ahead of them before the next NBL season.
CEO Christine Finnegan gives an insight into the plans.
1 – WNBL
The JackJumpers find out by about mid-March if the NBL has granted the club a licence to field a women’s team from 2026/27.
“This women’s team is going to be crucial to rounding out the work that the JackJumpers are doing across Tasmania.”
2 – Free agency
Coach Scott Roth and his team are scouring the country to compile a shortlist of possible recruits.
“We are having internal conversations about who we will target. We’ve got a very clear strategy and I’m sure the players would want to come and play under Scott Roth.”
3 – Imports
The future of Jordon Crawford and Milton Doyle are yet to be decided.
“We always leave the imports til last. The important thing is we get our roster of Australians right first and then we fill the imports. That will be the end of the recruiting side of things.”
4 – The JackJumper’s new owners
Altor Capital Group will be hands-on in development new strategies for the development of the Jackies.
“Every year we strive for continuous improvement. I can say to all of our supporters watch this space because there are great things coming your way.”
5 – Silverdome’s $12m upgrade
“We are working with Stadiums Tasmania through what that looks like. Improving the spectator experience is our number one priority, as well as providing a corporate experience and fixing up all of the things oppositions teams haven’t enjoyed about the Silverdome.”
Originally published as WNBL decision close for JackJumpers, the club’s must address areas
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