Adelaide Lightning Welcomes New Owner And Re-Signs Coach

The future of the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL is now secure, with the club welcoming new owners headed by Bruce Spangler and re-signing WNBL Coach of the Year, Chris Lucas.

Bruce Spangler, the former chairman of the club, has accepted the license from Adelaide Basketball on behalf of his consortium and will continue to build upon Adelaide Lightning’s 27-year-old legacy.

“We are thrilled to take over the license of South Australia’s most successful sporting team of 2019,” Spangler said.

“We are confident we have a good number of backers and people to develop a sustainable, long-term model to ensure Adelaide Lightning’s future.”

Spangler’s first order of business was to re-sign WNBL Coach of the Year, Chris Lucas, on a three-year-deal and secure sponsors for the team.

“It was of utmost importance to retain Chris Lucas as head coach.

“Another important piece of the puzzle was gaining support from sponsors and we are pleased to announce Motor Accident Commission has re-committed and we have also signed Titanium Security as a new sponsor.

“On behalf of Adelaide Lightning, I would like to thank MAC and the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard, for their on-going support, as well as to Danny Grotegoed from Titanium Security,” he said.

Acting CEO of Basketball Australia, Paul Maley, was thrilled with the news.

“Adelaide Lightning is a key piece of the Chemist Warehouse WNBL and the overall basketball landscape of Australia so we are delighted to have the club’s legacy secured,” Maley said.

“Basketball Australia and the WNBL are grateful to Mr Spangler and his consortium for their faith in the Lightning and we now look forward to a bright future for the club.”

Innovations such as the Rachael Sporn Academy, identifying and training young South Australian talent under the auspices of the club’s greatest player, will continue under the new regime.