The Tasmania Jewels have broken the all-time WNBL membership record before playing a single game in the competition.
The club has signed up 3,349 members, passing the previous record of 3,331 set by the Melbourne Boomers in the 2017/18 season.
The number is still climbing.
Game day tickets go on sale tomorrow, with members able to buy from 10am and the general public from midday.
Fans have 22 days left to join the foundation member list before the team’s debut game on October 15 at MyState Bank Arena against Geelong.
Coach Claudia Brassard said the support had taken the club by surprise.
“Tassie fans are the greatest,” Brassard said.
“We’re blown away with the support the Jewels are already receiving and we haven’t played a game yet.”
“All along we’ve said we want to raise the bar across the league and our fans are leading that charge.”
WNBL chief operations officer Justin Nelson, a former boss of the Melbourne Boomers, welcomed the milestone.
“What an achievement,” Nelson said.
“The WNBL is a fans-first entertainment business and we are thrilled to see the Jewels break the league’s membership record ahead of their first game.”
“To the people of Tasmania, we say thank you and welcome you to the WNBL family.”
“You are now a part of history and we know that together you will provide an incredible atmosphere for the Jewels.”
Nelson said the state’s fans were “truly the jewel in the crown” and the new leaders in the league when it came to membership.
Diamond and Ruby memberships at MyState Bank Arena have sold out, but Sapphire memberships remain.
Every category is still available at the Silverdome in Launceston.
Memberships start at $100 for an adult across five games.
The Jewels play their first game on October 15 at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, followed by their Launceston Silverdome debut on October 31.
