WNBA Needs Crossover Appeal; Should Draw Attention to Community Work

The WNBA is in its 15th season, and if the league is "going to make a more-than-niche name for itself," it will have to "generate crossover appeal, with the All-Star Game one place to draw those who wouldn't otherwise see women pros play hoops," according to Meri-Jo Borzilleri of ESPNW.com. The league "sold out the lower bowl" of the 18,500-seat AT&T Center in San Antonio for Saturday's All-Star Game, and had an announced crowd of 12,540. But the All-Star Game "was just that -- a game -- when it could've been a weekend." There were "no skills or 3-point-shooting contests" and no "non-basketball celebrities." The WNBA "is full of personalities trying to bust out, and a day of fun stuff would show that." The league "should be credited for not only surviving, but starting to thrive when many thought it would go the way of hoops' ABL and soccer's WUSA." WNBA President Laurel Richie said that the league's "numbers are up: average game attendance up six percent; gate receipts three percent; sponsorship 25 percent." But with "a group of talented rookies poised to step in ... it's time to be bolder." WNBA officials and players are "good at doing community clinics, like their work Friday in San Antonio, where players did literacy and stop-diabetes clinics at a nearby military base." However, Goldklang Group's Exec Advisor to the Chairman Mike Veeck said, "What they're not doing well, is drawing attention to the wonderful things they're doing in the community" (ESPNW.com, 7/23).

GOING ABROAD: In San Antonio, Terrence Thomas noted one of the "long-argued shortcomings of the WNBA has been that its players have to go overseas during the offseason for financial security." Richie on Saturday said that it is "an area of focus" for the league. Richie: "I would love a world where players who feel they have to go somewhere else to supplement don't feel that. We're not there yet. It's probably going to take longer than I think it should and (the players) think it should to get there" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 7/24).

SUPPORT SYSTEM: Former WNBAer Lisa Leslie appeared on ABC's WNBA All-Star Game broadcast Saturday and said it is "our responsibility as women ... to support this league so (younger players) have another 15 years.” Leslie added, “We cannot do that without corporate sponsors.” Leslie’s company, CieAura, has “signed a licensing and marketing deal” with the WNBA and that “all of the players will start to wear the brand.” Leslie: “I’m probably the first player ever to do that. … We have to continue to do to help this league last another 15 years” (“2011 WNBA All-Star Game,” ABC, 7/23).