WNBA President Laurel Richie said the league is "getting lots of expressions of interest" from potential owners and cities "that would like to have" an expansion team. Speaking during the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, Richie reiterated comments she made earlier in the month concerning expansion, saying, "We're going to put together a committee of our board to evaluate next steps on it. I wouldn't say it's a year away, it's a little bit down the road, but we're excited that there is so much interest in the WNBA" ("WNBA All-Star Game," ABC, 7/25). Richie added, "Based on the calls that we are getting, the expression of interest from owners, from potential owners, from different geographies -- and the depth of talent in the league I think is prime for expansion." In Hartford, Meaghan Latella noted "nine of the league's 12 teams have marquee sponsors." Richie said that landing marquee sponsors for the remaining three teams "will be one of her focuses in terms of league expansion." She added that the WNBA's social media presence has increased by 52% "in the last year." Richie also said that she "is looking forward to" the WNBA's 20th anniversary in '17. Richie: "We are so excited to think about our 20th season. Not so much as a look back at our first 20 years -- although we will do that, and we will celebrate the heck out of it -- but what we're really excited about is the next 20 years" (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/26).
