WNBL Unveils Tasmania Jewels as Ninth Franchise

The Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) has officially unveiled the Tasmania Jewels as the league’s ninth franchise, solidifying a major expansion into one of Australia’s most passionate basketball heartlands.

The new team is scheduled to enter the competition in the 2026/27 season, providing the organisation with a significant runway to build its commercial operations, roster, and community engagement programs before hitting the court.

Following the initial confirmation of the license in August, the brand revelation marks an important moment for the state’s sporting landscape.

The “Jewels” identity has been crafted to reflect Tasmania’s deep basketball roots and unique wilderness, aiming to establish a brand that is commercially distinct yet authentically connected to the local community. The move leverages the state’s proven appetite for elite basketball, capitalising on a market that has demonstrated exceptional support for national-level content in recent years.

Positioning the expansion as evidence of the league’s rising commercial momentum and its broader mandate to grow the women’s game, WNBL CEO, Jennie Sager, said: “I’m so excited to welcome the Tasmania Jewels to the WNBL.”

“Tasmania’s love for the game runs deep, and now that passion has a new home on the national stage,” Sager said.

 In addition, Sager highlighted the tangible developmental benefits of the expansion. The introduction of a ninth team opens up 10 additional roster spots at the elite level, creating vital new professional pathways for female athletes.

Leading the franchise, and emphasising the ambition behind the new identity, Appointed CEO, Christine Finnegan, added: “Tasmania is the Jewel in the crown of Australia and now the Jewel in the crowd of the Queen Ant and a force to be reckoned with in the WNBL.”

“We’re incredibly proud to launch a brand that we believe represents the unique beauty of the state of Tasmania and the unbreakable resilience of our team and our community,” Finnegan stated.

This growth extends beyond the playing group, unlocking new career opportunities for high-performance coaches, officials, and sports administrators within the Tasmanian ecosystem.

Strategically, the arrival of the Jewels integrates the WNBL into a rapidly expanding Tasmanian high-performance landscape.

By joining the existing professional teams in the state, the Jewels are positioned to unlock new sponsorship and fan engagement opportunities in a region where basketball is increasingly seen as a primary tier-one sport.

The extended lead-up to the 2026/27 season ensures the club can establish a robust corporate partner network and finalise venue operations, prioritising sustainable growth over a rushed entry.

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