WNBA Mystics President & Managing Partner SHEILA JOHNSON is featured in a Q&A with the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, in which she said the “biggest challenge” for the Mystics “has been trying to secure corporate sponsorship. ... We’re trying to convince sponsors that we’re the best kept secret out there, and that we’re worth the investment. Women literally control the purse strings in the household. But male society and corporations are so conditioned to only invest in male sports. They’re going to see they can get more bang for the buck with a women’s team.” When asked how the WNBA “can develop into a profitable product,” Johnson said, “I think [WNBA President] DONNA ORENDER is really moving in that direction. ... They’re working on high-level sponsors, and that trickles down to the teams. That makes it a lot easier to sell on the local level.” Johnson was also asked if it is true that she will “kick people out of the owner’s box if they don’t cheer” during Mystics games. Johnson: “There’s no reason to come into the owner’s box if you’re not going to cheer. ... The fans look up there, and they don’t want to see people just partying” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/15).
