The WNBA Liberty named Richie Adubato as their head
coach yesterday, and team officials said he "was the best
candidate for the job," according to Lena Williams of the
N.Y. TIMES. Liberty VP/GM Carol Blazejowksi: "This is a
situation where many candidates, male and female, were
evaluated." But Williams writes that Adubato's appointment
"is another example of a growing trend of hiring men to
coach WNBA teams. They now hold 5 of the 12 head-coaching
spots and have got the last four vacancies." Liberty C Kym
Hampton: "I like the idea of women coaching women,
especially basketball. ... But I don't think you should just
play the political role and choose a woman, unless she's the
best candidate" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/10). NEWSDAY's Barbara
Barker noted that when the WNBA began two years ago, "seven
of its eight coaches were women." Stanford women's coach
Tara VanDerveer: "It just feels to me like the old boys
network is alive and well and running a women's league."
WNBA President Val Ackerman said there is "some crossover"
from the NBA but the teams "are trying to find the best
people, and they're still grappling with what the right
profile is." Barker noted that salaries for WNBA coaches
haven't "been enough to lure top college coaches" and some
are seeing the WNBA becoming a "minor league/retirement home
for former NBA coaches." Women's Sports Foundation Exec Dir
Donna Lopiano: "It's kind of ghetto-izing women to say that
only women should be hired [in the WNBA]. Where the real
discrimination is taking place is that no one is willing to
hire women for men's teams" (Barbara Barker, NEWSDAY, 12/9).
