What needs to change for the WNBL to truly break through?

In Part 2 of this exclusive conversation, newly appointed WNBL Chief Operations Officer Justin Nelson outlines his vision for the future of the league - and why relevance, innovation and fan connection will define the next era of women's basketball in Australia.

Starting with his top three priorities for the WNBL over the next 12 months, Justin speaks candidly about growth, visibility, expansion, player drafts, rivalries, fan engagement and why women's basketball needs to stop "playing it safe."

He also explains why he believes the WNBL can become one of Australia's great sports success stories.

They discuss:

• Justin's top three priorities for the WNBL

• Why first-time fans fall in love with the game

• The challenge of relevance in women's sport

• Rivalries, emotion and entertainment

• Drafts, trades and player movement

• Expansion teams and financial sustainability

• Connecting better with grassroots basketball

• Caitlin Clark, international talent & visibility

• Justin's proudest moment in basketball administration

Plus: Rapid Fire questions, fan questions and Justin's long-term vision for the future of the WNBL.

Sponsor: Uncloud - building stronger community connections through sport.https://www.uncloud.org/whats-uncloud/

Timestamps

0:00 - Top three priorities for the WNBL

2:00 - Why first-time fans love the WNBL

5:00 - The challenge of relevance in women's sport

7:00 - Rivalries, emotion & entertainment

10:00 - Drafts, trades & innovation ideas

12:00 - Connecting better with grassroots basketball

14:00 - Rapid Fire questions

17:00 - Expansion, Brisbane & New Zealand teams

19:00 - "If you had complete control..."

20:00 - Justin's proudest basketball moment

22:00 - "Fear or faith" innovation philosophy

23:00 - Final reflections & outro

What does innovation really look like in women's basketball?

In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, newly appointed WNBL Chief Operations Officer Justin Nelson joins Beza and Tony to discuss the journey that shaped him - from leaving school at 14 and working as a baker to rebuilding leagues and clubs across Australia and New Zealand.

Justin opens up about the Melbourne Boomers years, his close working relationship with Lauren Jackson, the creation of New Zealand's Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league and the Rapid League innovation that transformed player development.

The conversation explores leadership, risk-taking, fan engagement and why Justin believes innovation requires faith rather than fear.

They discuss:

• The accidental path into sports media

• Picking up "broken products" in basketball

• Working with Lauren Jackson again at the WNBL

• Project B and global basketball disruption

• Whether the WNBL should move seasons

• Why fans must come first• The creation of Rapid League

• The rise of Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa

• Pay parity and women's basketball growth

If you want to understand the mindset and philosophy behind one of the most influential basketball administrators in the region, this episode is essential listening.

Sponsor: Uncloud - building stronger community connections through sport.https://www.uncloud.org/whats-uncloud/

Timestamps

0:00 - "Innovation asks you to believe in something you can't see"

1:10 - Introducing Justin Nelson

3:00 - Leaving school at 14 & becoming a baker

5:00 - The accidental path into sports media

7:00 - Leadership evolution & listening more

8:00 - Picking up "broken products" in sport

]9:00 - Working closely with the GOAT Lauren Jackson

12:00 - Lauren's new WNBL leadership role

14:00 - Project B, global basketball & player movement

15:00 - Should the WNBL move seasons?

16:30 - Why fans must come first

18:00 - The origins of Rapid League in NZ

22:00 - "Fear or faith" - Justin's innovation philosophy

23:30 - Creating New Zealand's Tauihi league'

26:00 - Why women's basketball "wasn't good enough"

Project B might become one of the biggestdisruptors women’s basketball has ever seen.

But what actually is it?

In this exclusive interview, WNBA legend and Project B Chief Basketball Officer Alana Beard explains the real visionbehind Project B — player ownership, global basketball, premium experiences and why they believe basketball can become the number one sport in the world.

Beza and Tony sit down with four-time WNBA All-Star and Project B executive Alana Beard for a deep dive into one of the most talked-about developments in global basketball.

Alana shares:

• The “why” behind Project B

• Why athlete ownership and equity matter

• How Project B plans to create a premiumbasketball ecosystem

• Why the league wants to be additive — notcompetitive

• The importance of global fan access andstreaming

• How women athletes are becomingbusinesses and brands

• What she sees in players like SophieCunningham and Alanna Smith

• Why Australian basketball talent standsout globally

• The biggest misconceptions surroundingProject B

The episode also includes:

• Rapid Fire questions

• Future expansion discussions

• Startup and business challenges

• Reflections on leadership, mentorship andlegacy

If you want to understand where women’sbasketball could be heading over the next decade, this conversation is essential viewing.

Timestamps

0:00 — “What is the why of Project B?”

2:00 — How Project B first captured Alana’s attention

6:00 — Why today’s athletes think differently about business

8:40 — Building a premium global basketball experience

11:15 — Access, streaming & global fan engagement

17:30 — How Project B plans to work with existing leagues

21:10 — The challenges of building a startup sports league

24:15 — Collaboration vs competition in women’s basketball

26:30 — What is it about Sophie Cunningham

30:05 — Alanna Smith & Australian basketball talent

33:20 — Rapid Fire questions

35:45 — Biggest misconception about Project B

37:35 — Which player would Alana sign tomorrow?

38:15 — “This is not just a women’s basketball league”

38:45 — Bec Allen’s question: “What is your why?”

40:25 — Final reflections & outro

#ProjectB, #AlanaBeard, #WNBA,#WomensBasketball, #SophieCunningham, #AlannaSmith, #WNBL, #BasketballPodcast,#WomensSports, #GlobalBasketball

Project B basketball, Alana Beardinterview, women’s basketball podcast, WNBA future, Sophie Cunningham ProjectB, Alanna Smith basketball, global basketball league, women athlete ownership,WNBA analysis, Sixth Women Podcast