The NBL and Basketball Australia are in talks about the future of the WNBL, but they are a long way from making a decision on the way forward.
BA remains committed to operating the WNBL and the NBL has not launched a "takeover bid" for the league but is in talks about the future of the 38-year-old league.
The WNBL is the longest-running professional women's sporting league in the country but has fallen down the pecking order in recent years despite the Opals winning silver at last year's FIBA Women’s World Cup and a number of Australians playing in the WNBA.
Several WNBL clubs are keen for the NBL to start running the league following the growth of the men's league since Larry Kestelman took ownership of it in 2014, but both parties say there is much to be discussed before anything concrete happens.
The NBL requested financial documents and information from all clubs in recent months and are currently doing their due diligence and how it could best promote and monetise the WNBL.
The WNBL has several different club ownership models, with private groups, universities and basketball associations among the owners of various clubs.
NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger said this made understanding the league more complex, so the NBL wouldn't rush to a decision.
BA released a statement on Monday on their intentions for the WNBL.
"BA is committed to continuing to manage the WNBL and have simultaneously been reviewing all options for the future management model to ensure that the longest-running female sports league in Australia is fully supported and is provided the platform to thrive," it said.
Head of WNBL Sally Phillips announced her resignation in recent months after helping steady the competition and leading the push to secure several new commercial partners, but the league had very few full-time staff beyond Phillips last season, with BA staffers performing key roles while also having duties in other areas of BA.
Clubs have long been frustrated with this state of affairs and have repeatedly asked for more resources to be put into the WNBL.
Loeliger told The Age both the NBL and BA were a long way from making a final decision on how to run the league in future.
"You could argue it doesn't make sense for two organisations who work closely should both be running a professional league," Loeliger said.
"It's more cost effective, there are more synergies but there is an ongoing discussion and due diligence to complete.
"Those conversations, I wouldn't say are close to coming to a head. They are ongoing and neither of us are inclined to rush into anything.
"We both just want what is best for the league and the sport long term."
BA and the NBL announced on Monday that the NBL will become the commercial rights partner for Basketball Australia with responsibility to market, promote and arrange licensing of BA's rights and major properties led by the Boomers, the Opals, the WNBL, junior development program Aussie Hoops, the Centre of Excellence and other assets.
BA still owns those assets and BA will share in the revenue created by the NBL.
New BA chief executive Jerril Rechter said the move was the best thing for the game in Australia.
"This partnership will be a win-win for Australian basketball and our partners but also the players, clubs and the fans who will benefit from a stronger and more united sport," Rechter said.
Loeliger said the move was similar to how the NBA works with USA Basketball.
"The cornerstone of this relationship is that each party is striving to ensure that the other is given the very best chance to succeed," Loeliger said.
"Now each of us can focus our efforts and resources on those functions that are best suited to our organisations.
"The NBL is now empowered to commercialise basketball in Australia on a "whole of sport" basis, removing any uncertainty as to how corporate Australia can engage with our sport at all levels."
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