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July 31, 2008
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WNBA Earns First Ever "A+" In Racial & Gender Report Card

Univ. of Central Florida (UCF) Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sport Dir Richard Lapchick in his '08 WNBA Racial & Gender Report Card gave the league a combined "A+" grade for race and gender, the first ever combined "A+" awarded in the history of the report for any sport. The league earned an individual "A+" grade for both gender and race categories. During '07, the WNBA saw percentage gains for the amount of people of color serving as head coaches, team presidents and CEOs, league office staff, head trainers and players, which climbed to 66%. However, the percentage of colored persons serving as team owners, GMs, VPs, assistant coaches, physicians, and professional and senior administrators all declined. The percentage of African-American players during the '07 season remained at 63%, while int'l players made up 14%, down 3% from the '06 season. People of color in professional positions increased to 36% in the league office, and the WNBA had four women and two African-Americans as team President/CEOs in both '07 and '08, tying the record high from the '06 season. There are eight female team owners this season, up from four in '07 and just two in '06. WNBA President Donna Orender remains the only female president of a pro team sports league, and the league in '07 saw percentage gains for the number of women serving as team owners, head coaches, team presidents and VPs and senior and professional administrators. The percentage of women serving as assistant coaches, team physicians, head trainers and in the league office all declined. The percentage of women employed in the league office dropped from 75% to 74% (UCF).


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