Tasmania JackJumpers appoint new CEO

The Tasmania JackJumpers and the newly formed Tasmania Jewels have officially ushered in a new era of leadership, announcing the appointment of Trent Jacobs as the clubs’ new CEO.

Jacobs, a seasoned sports executive with a diverse background across the AFL and A-League, will formally take the reins on April 7, 2026, following the departure of inaugural CEO Christine Finnegan. His arrival coincides with several major milestones, including the opening of the club’s High Performance Training Centre in mid-2026 and the highly anticipated debut of the Tasmania Jewels in the WNBL later this year.

A Proven Track Record in Sports Leadership

Trent Jacobs brings over two decades of high-level experience to the role. Most recently, he served as the executive director at Sports Cloud Australia, a digital growth startup he co-founded. His previous leadership roles include:

• CEO of Melbourne Victory FC (2018–2021): Overseeing one of the A-League’s most successful franchises.
• Richmond Football Club: Holding senior executive marketing and commercial roles during a period of significant growth for the AFL club.

Executive chair, Steve Old, highlighted that Jacobs was the “stand-out candidate” from a competitive national search.

“His exceptional experience in sports leadership coupled with his commercial acumen sets him in great stead to lead our teams on and off the court,” Old said. 

“Defending the Island”: The Next Chapter

During the recruitment process, Jacobs quietly attended the JackJumpers’ Teal Round clash against the Brisbane Bullets at MyState Bank Arena to experience the atmosphere firsthand.

“I love the clarity of the club’s identity.”

“The DNA of ‘Defend the Island’ is so evident. It is something that permeates beyond the basketball court and I want to be a part of it,” Jacobs shared. 

Jacobs acknowledged the legacy built by Christine Finnegan and head coach Scott Roth, noting that the club has united the Tasmanian community in a way that transcends the sport itself.

As he relocates his family to the island, his focus will remain on building this connection and exploring global opportunities for Tasmanian basketball.

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