Former Matildas international Sally Shipard admits it's "hard to really contemplate" the prospect of women's soccer and basketball not having exposure on national television.
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The ABC will stop broadcasting both the W-League and the WNBL at the end of their respective seasons because of budget cuts.
Canberra United will be hoping to go out on a high when it takes on the Melbourne Victory in the first semi-final at Geelong on Saturday. The game will be shown live on the ABC.
Football Australia and Basketball Australia are both investigating possible broadcasters to take over for next season.
Petitions were handed out at last weekend's Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets game and Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid made an impassioned plea at half-time of the match against Perth Glory at Viking Park.
Shipard - who made 57 appearances for the Matildas, including winning the women's Asian Cup in 2010 - hoped a compromise could be found.
"There will be an uproar," Shipard said.
"For us to display our skill and our level of talent to Australia via the means of TV is a really good way for the sport to grow.
"It's a really backward step for both basketball and women's soccer in general.
"It's hard to really contemplate."
Shipard is an ambassador for next year's Asian Cup in which Canberra Stadium will host six pool games and a quarter-final from January 10 to 23.
United appears likely to be without experienced central defender Ellie Brush for the rest of the finals series after she had suspected ankle ligament damage in the 2-1 win against the Glory.
Brush was replaced early in the second half after she was caught in a tackle late in the first term.
She will be given up until Thursday night's training session to prove her fitness.
Fellow central defender Grace Field would be the most likely replacement in a straight swap, while midfielder Kendall Fletcher could be pushed into a defensive role.
