The WNBA, continuing a "campaign of off-season foreign
jaunts," is planning a South American tour "following the
close of the current season," according to Terry Lefton of
BRANDWEEK. Lefton: "A future Asian tour is also being
considered" (Terry Lefton, BRANDWEEK, 7/27 issue).
MURPHY'S LAW: On the "WNBA on Lifetime" Friday, analyst
Mary Murphy defended Mystics G Nikki McCray in response to a
piece by SI's Jeff Pearlman that called her "greedy" for
switching leagues. Murphy: "The basic premise of Mr.
Pearlman's article is that Nikki McCray, because she left
the ABL after her contract was up and came over to the WNBA,
is a greedy person. Hey, does that mean every person that
leaves a job, tries to get a promotion, make more money is
greedy? ... No way, Jeff. What that means is that you're
smart. And that's what Nikki McCray is" (Lifetime, 7/24).
BEING FRANK: Jazz President Frank Layden was named the
coach of the Starzz yesterday after Denise Taylor was fired.
Layden acknowledged he was "skeptical" of the WNBA when Jazz
Owner Larry Miller agreed to operate a team, but Layden
added, "The more I was around the women, the more I saw of
the game, I said, 'You know, I like this.' The athletes
look like they're having fun" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/28).
