WNBA Storm Adjust To Life As Entity Independent From NBA Team
 |
Seattle Storm One Of Six WNBA
Franchises Without NBA Ties |
WNBA Seattle Storm Owner Force 10 Hoops is "leading the Storm into complete independence," and while the organization "doesn't have the deep pockets of billionaire NBA owners, it has provided the Storm with a mission and financial backing that isn't dependent on another team's successes or failures," according to Jerry Brewer of the SEATTLE TIMES. The Storm is "among six WNBA franchises who don't have NBA ties, but you can also place them in even rarer company," as the Storm has joined the Connecticut Sun as the "only independently-owned franchise[s] playing in non-NBA cities." The Sonics ownership group previously owned the Storm, and Storm CEO Karen Bryant said, "Having been a part of dependence, sometimes there's a false sense of security. The reality is that the business of the Sonics often took a toll on the Storm. Sometimes, there were other priorities. Now, there's no lack of clarity. There's no confusion about what our resources are, nor are there any surprises." Brewer noted the Storm had to "negotiate its own KeyArena lease, and after about a year of discussions with the city, it finalized a 10-year deal that dropped its rent from $15,000 to $5,000 per game," and now "perhaps the most pressing concern remaining is to find a new practice facility." The team's current facility, the Furtado Center, is "trapped behind the construction of the new campus for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation," and the Storm have "continued to explore options on where to train." Bryant, when asked if the team is "resigned to losing money this year," said, "We're making an investment. Because it's a down year with the economy, it lends itself to being an investment year." Storm co-Owner Dawn Trudeau said, "We actually believe that, in some ways, we will benefit from this economy. We are at a price point where people can come to us for low-cost enjoyment. We're as affordable as a movie is. And we plan to stay that way" (SEATTLE TIMES, 5/20).
STAYING ON BOARD: The Storm have reached an extension of their agreement with radio broadcast partner KKNW-AM, under which the station will broadcast all 34 Storm regular-season games during the '09 season, beginning with the team's June 6 season opener. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Play-by-play announcer Dick Fain and analyst Adia Barnes will return in their roles (Storm).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Kathy Betty Buying WNBA Dream
October 30, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
WNBA Tulsa To Change Shock Nickname
October 21, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
WNBA Shock Moving From Detroit To Tulsa
October 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Tulsa Group Formally Files For WNBA Team
October 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
WNBA Fever Will Return For '10 Season
October 14, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Ticket Package Offered For Flyers, 76ers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
NBPA Says Total Player Compensation Down
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Magic Johnson, Cisco Team For Initiative
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Nets Finding Unique Ways To Draw Fans
November 19, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Grizzlies Optimistic Despite AI Departure
November 18, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
