WNBA Season Tips Off Saturday After Offseason Of Changes
 |
Laimbeer Says Every Sports
League Is About Survival Now |
The WNBA tips off its '09 season Saturday after having undergone "radical changes in the past six months," according to Chris Hine of the N.Y. TIMES. The four-time WNBA champions Comets disbanded in December, while the league reduced the number of active roster spots for teams from 13 to 11. Fever F Tamika Catchings, President of the WNBPA, said of the reduction of roster spots, "I think as we'd keep talking about the economy and trying to figure out how, from a budget standpoint, to move forward, it was just something the union and the WNBA agreed on." Shock coach Bill Laimbeer said, "Every sports league is working a little extra harder to put revenue into their teams and sports, and we're no exception." Laimbeer: "Every sports league now is about survival" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/5). WNBA President Donna Orender said, "What the current economic climate has done is put a spotlight on your business. What we have to do is make it as efficient and as effectively run right now as we possibly can, and we believe that the 11-player roster does that" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/5). The AP's Vin Cherwoo noted NBA Commissioner David Stern "believes the struggling economy can actually benefit the WNBA because of its affordability." Orender "points to recent increases in attendance, TV ratings, jersey and merchandise sales, and web traffic as a sign the league ... is healthy." Also, a "landmark eight-year contract with ESPN/ABC that pays the league rights fees for the first time kicks in this season." Orender: "I have a great degree of confidence where the WNBA is. This is a league that is growing." Orender is "not worried about the viability of the remaining teams, saying there is continued interest from groups in various markets looking to join the league" (AP, 6/4).
AROUND THE WORLD: USA TODAY's Matt Poms reported the WNBA delayed the start of the '09 season from May 17 to accommodate the schedules of players competing overseas in the offseason, a problem that has "long plagued" the league. Of the 256 players on WNBA rosters last year, 133 "spent the offseason playing abroad, an increase from 111 the previous year," and league officials said that they had "no choice but to adapt." The WNBA is "banking on the two weeks of extra rest helping teams come together while alleviating stress on players' bodies from year-round competition." Poms noted the European leagues "provide undeniable benefits for many players," as top players "can stay on top of their games and earn extra money." Also, "more crucial for younger players, the extra competition allows them to develop in a setting less rigorous than the WNBA grind" (USA TODAY, 6/4).
BARING HER SOLE: Sparks F Lisa Leslie, who will retire after this season, will wear specially-designed Nike Blue Chip II shoes during games that feature the team's purple and gold colors, as well as a pink highlight pattern. The shoes will be used to generate awareness about breast cancer and raise funds to help fight the disease (WNBA).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
WNBA Monarchs Are History In Sacramento
November 23, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
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
|
Court Ruling Gives Boost To Atlantic Yards
November 24, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Under Armour Not Yet Cashing In On Jennings
November 24, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Yankees To Curb Spending In '10
November 24, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
WNBA Monarchs Are History In Sacramento
November 23, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Jerry Buss Addresses Lakers' Payroll
November 23, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
