The WNBA Storm on Thursday "issued a statement expressing concern over the development" of Pro Basketball HOFer Isiah Thomas being named President & co-Owner of the Liberty, and "implying that they might vote not to approve" his stake in the franchise, according to Seth Berkman of the N.Y. TIMES. The Storm's ownership group, Force 10 Hoops, in the statement "emphasized its duty to protect the league’s values in addressing 'sexual harassment, domestic violence and sexual assault, all of which have been inadequately addressed for far too long.'" Thomas' ownership stake "needs approval" by the league’s BOG, which is "made up of team owners or senior executives within the ownership groups." WNBA President Laurel Richie on Wednesday said that a date "had not yet been set for a vote." Berkman notes the Storm "are the first team in the 12-team league, besides the Liberty, to publicly address" the hiring (N.Y. TIMES, 5/8). The Denver Post's Woody Paige said the BOG should
overrule the hiring of Thomas, “but Isiah should take the high
road here and say, ‘I’m not taking the job.’” ESPN’s Bomani Jones: “The
WNBA cannot let Isiah Thomas assume that position. If they ask why he
can’t, the answer is ‘because you can't.’ We don't have to explain. This
is pretty self-evident.” espnW’s Kate Fagan said, “He should not be
approved by the WNBA's Board of Governors, but I think this is going to
be trickier that you think because [MSG Chair James Dolan] holds a lot of cards” (“Around
The Horn,” ESPN, 5/7). SNY’s Eamon McAnaney said the WNBA "doesn’t have a leg to stand on.” McAnaney: “If the WNBA is going to stand up to Jim Dolan, Jim Dolan might just take the Liberty and say, ‘You know what, we’re out of the WNBA’" (“Loud Mouths,” SNY, 5/7).
WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE? The AP's Doug Feinberg noted several of the WNBA's marquee players are "flexing newly gained leverage to make demands on the league, including forcing trades and dictating when they'll play." Players "putting their own needs ahead of the league's interests" represents a "growing concern for the WNBA." The league "has the option to take action against players." The CBA that was ratified before last season "gives the league and teams more power to fine players under contract who miss time for overseas commitments." It is "unclear if the teams or league will take action against other players, but it could be a growing list." Some of the players' leverage "stems from playing overseas, where now they can make 10 times more than the maximum $115,000 WNBA salary." With that kind of financial security, players "feel they can afford to miss a WNBA season." Mercury G Diana Taurasi, who in February decided to skip the '15 WNBA season, said that she is "confident the decisions of a handful of players won't lead to the demise" of the league (AP, 5/6).
