Back on the air: Capitals hope free-to-air TV helps boost WNBL season

The WNBL will return to free-to-air television this season after SBS striking a three-year partnership with Fox Sports to simulcast at least nine regular-season games.

It's a boost for women's basketball, which was in danger of being left behind when the competition lost its broadcast deal three years ago.

The Capitals have streamed games in the past and are open to the idea of doing so again given just three of their games will be broadcast on Fox Sports, with two of those simulcast on SBS. Of those three broadcast games, only one will be played in Canberra.

But the club's major focus is re-engaging with fans at the National Convention Centre and the AIS Arena, targeting their first finals campaign since 2011.

"This has potential to open up the game. We've been crying out [for free-to-air] and it's great that Fox and SBS can collaborate on this, working together for women's sport," said Capitals star Marianna Tolo.

"As much as you're not battling against other women's sports, you are in a certain way because it's heartbreaking when you see netball, cricket getting coverage.

"Women's basketball has such a long history in this country and we're so well respected as a national team. To finally have that step to be back on TV, it's warms your heart a little bit.

"I feel like we're going [up] and maybe it's rubbing off from the NBL where they're trying to change things. It is returning to the golden age."

The Capitals will have two away matches broadcast on SBS, against the Perth Lynx on November 10 and the Bendigo Spirit on January 19.

Canberra's home game against Perth at the National Convention Centre will be broadcast live by Fox Sports on Sunday, December 16.

A presence on free-to-air television will be a massive boost for the WNBL, which is jostling with AFL Women's, the W-League, cricket and netball for centre stage.

Three games of television exposure is crucial for the Capitals as women's sports continue to blossom, but it pales in comparison to rival sports with Canberra United set to reap the rewards of a landmark W-League broadcast deal.

Canberra United will feature in three stand-alone Thursday night matches, with every match to be broadcast or streamed on Fox Sports or SBS, with games also available to the United States and United Kingdom markets.

While the ACT Meteors' WNCL matches are not televised, their players receive massive exposure through the Women's Big Bash League and international cricket.

Cricket Australia's six-year, $1.182 billion broadcast deal with Fox Sports and the Seven Network means all women's internationals and 23 WBBL games are shown each season. The 36 WBBL games not shown on Seven and Fox Sports will be live streamed online.

Meanwhile, the Capitals are hopeful Leilani Mitchell will be fit for the start of the season after withdrawing from the Australian Opals' world championship campaign.

Point guard Mitchell has been struggling with the pain of plantar fasciitis and decided to manage her work load to be ready for Canberra's season.

But it is unclear if she will be available for the opening game against Sydney on October 12, with a cloud also hovering above Kelsey Griffin's availability and Tolo and Kristy Wallace have already been ruled out.

"It sucks for [Mitchell], but in a way it's good for us because we'll have everyone together," Tolo said.

WNBL ROUND ONE

October 12: Sydney Flames v Canberra Capitals at Sydney University, 7pm