The WNBA officially began its second season last night
with four regular-season games, and in Akron, Terry Pluto
writes, "It was nice to have the Cleveland Rockers back in
town." Pluto reports that women's basketball is "cheap ...
fun" and is "something that's deserving of your attention."
The Rockers drew 17,911 fans for their opening night victory
over the Liberty (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 6/12).
OTHER GAMES: The expansion Mystics made their WNBA
debut last night, losing to the Sting before 9,092 at
Charlotte Coliseum (WASHINGTON POST, 6/12)....In UT, the
Sparks defeated the Starzz before 9,330 at the Delta Center
(SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 6/12)....In Sacramento, the Mercury
defeated the Monarchs before 7,816 at Arco Arena (SACRAMENTO
BEE, 6/12). The league averaged 11,037 for the four games.
BRAND AWARENESS: The WNBA ran a 10-page ad supplement
in USA TODAY, backed by league partners GM, Sears, Nike,
Coca-Cola and Lee Jeans (THE DAILY)....WNBA Dir/Broadcasting
Teri Schindler is interviewed in the BOSTON GLOBE, and says
camera angles will be lowered this season for national WNBA
telecasts. Schindler, on filming the players: "You need to
see who they are because they're not household names and
because they do things like girls do -- they change their
hair. Nikki McCray with extensions looks a lot different
than Nikki McCray without extensions" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/12).
