The National Basketball League (NBL) and the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) have agreed to a three-year agreement with Optus.
Basketball is apparently one of Australia’s fastest-growing sports, with more than one million people engaging each year. At the heart of that drive are the NBL and WNBL, which are seeing tremendous audience growth, rising cultural relevance and engagement across broadcast, digital, and live experiences.
The collaboration with Optus demonstrates a common desire to strengthen fan connections to the game while also driving the next phase of growth for both leagues, particularly the continuous ascent of women’s basketball in Australia.
According to the NBL, live game streaming throughout ESPN platforms is up 21% season on season, while average audiences on Network 10’s Primary Channel are up 18% from the 2025 season.
NBL, CEO, Dave Stevenson, said, “Basketball in Australia is experiencing incredible momentum and this partnership with Optus comes at an exciting time for both the NBL and WNBL. I would also like to personally thank Stephen and the broader Optus team for their belief in the future of Australian basketball and for the collaborative approach they have taken throughout this process. Optus shares our ambition to create meaningful moments for fans and support the long-term evolution of the game at every level.”
Lauren Jackson, Chief Strategy and basketball partnerships officer, WNBL, said, “The WNBL is entering a transformative period and partnerships like this are the heartbeat that help us continue to grow the profile, reach and impact of the league. There is enormous momentum behind women’s sport and women’s basketball in Australia and having a partner like Optus supporting that journey is incredibly exciting. We’re looking forward to working together to create stronger connections with fans and continue elevating the women’s game nationally.”
Stephen Rue, CEO at Optus, said, “Basketball has become one of the most exciting and culturally relevant sports in Australia, with incredible momentum at both a community and professional level. This partnership with the NBL and WNBL is about connecting fans to the moments that matter, supporting the communities where the game is played, and helping Australian basketball continue to grow, on and off the court.
“The NBL and WNBL represent what the future of Australian sport looks like, inclusive, fast-growing, community-driven and deeply connected to its fans. When you invest in the fundamentals, fans, community and the quality of the game, momentum follows. We’re proud to be a part of what comes next for Australian basketball.”
