WNBA Planning Plenty Of Events Around Rare All-Star Game In The Southwest

The WNBA’s elite are headed to San Antonio this weekend for the first All-Star weekend west of the Mississippi River since ’00, and WNBA COO Christine Godleski says fans can expect the weekend festivities to be infused with “Texas-style flavor.” Taking to heart the “everything is bigger in Texas” mentality, the league is expanding the number of community outreach programs during this year’s All-Star Weekend through partner activation initiatives. The league Friday will team up with corporate partner BBVA Compass for “Reading Counts,” a program to raise awareness and promote literacy in local elementary schools. WNBA All-Stars and former players -- including Nancy Lieberman -- will head to Fort Sam Houston to spend time reading books with children on the military base. While at Fort Sam Houston, the league will hold a “Dribble to Stop Diabetes” clinic, as part of the WNBA, NBA and NBA D-League’s national campaign of the same name. After the luncheon, the WNBA will partner with Jamba Juice for a WNBA FIT clinic. The league Friday also will host a “cowboy-chic” reception leading up to Saturday’s All-Star Game.

STARS AND STRIPES: Longtime corporate partner adidas will serve as the presenting sponsor for the All-Star Game. Godleski indicated that although the company signed “late in the game,” the WNBA has made every effort to increase brand visibility during All-Star festivities. As part of its activation initiative, adidas will give kids a free gift if they wear the company’s apparel to the game. Godleski expects a “great crowd” for Saturday’s game, though she noted the league does not have an estimate on the number of tickets sold. She said sales have already surpassed those for the ’10 All-Star Game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, which holds approximately 9,500. The league has sold out the lower bowl of the AT&T Center and has opened seating in the upper bowl.

HEADED TO THE RIVERWALK: Lieberman talks to THE DAILY about her plans for the weekend in San Antonio.