NBA Wizards President Susan O'Malley said Thursday that
the organization "hopes to have an expansion team in the
WNBA ... playing at MCI Center next season," according to
Athelia Knight of the WASHINGTON POST. O'Malley: "We are
going to apply for an expansion team." WNBA President Val
Ackerman said that Washington is "a leading candidate for
expansion," and that "they have been very active in making
their interest known." Ackerman also said that she "doesn't
expect to make a decision on expansion" until after the Aug.
30 championship game (WASHINGTON POST, 7/25).
SHORT SHELF STAY: "Analysts say that the WNBA's
successful inaugural season has meant only more business for
sports retailers around the country, benefiting not only
from people's interest in the ... sport but also the
creation of a new kind of consumer," according to Marc
Graser of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. An analyst who follows the
Sports Authority chain for Chicago-based consulting firm
William Blair said that "Women who perhaps had never entered
a sports store are now looking for WNBA team merchandise."
A Sears spokesperson said WNBA merchandise in all markets
"is moving quickly and that orders have doubled since the
items were first introduced in June." John Costello, Sears
Senior Exec VP/Marketing: "We are continually looking for
ways to connect with our female customer. Our association
with the WNBA will enable us to differentiate ourselves from
our competition" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/25).
