Eight women's sports leagues are "banding together with a new initiative -- SheIS," in which the governing bodies -- including the WNBA and USTA -- will "try to help each other increase resources, viewership and attendance," according to Doug Feinberg of the AP. WNBA President Lisa Borders said, "Each commissioner has agreed to come to one and another's events. Women have to support women before you ask other people to support you. I'll buy a ticket to a hockey game in Canada or a fast-pitch softball game." All the league commissioners "signed a pledge and filmed a public service announcement promoting the effort." Borders: "It's a social media campaign for now, but will grow. This is only tier one." The initiative "was the brainchild" of CWHL Commissioner Brenda Andress. She said, "This collective sports voice has never been heard." Andress reached out to Borders and USTA Chief Exec of Professional Tennis Stacey Allaster, who "quickly jumped on board." Andress said, "Right off the bat, they were so supportive." Feinberg noted the SheIS group "can point to a Seattle group already using this multisport format." Force 10 Sports Management "owns and operates" the WNBA Storm as well as the NWSL Reign and Major League Rugby Seawolves. Borders said, "Seattle is absolutely the model. They were doing that before SheIS is born." Other leagues "that have already joined" include women's lacrosse, Canada basketball, U.S. women's hockey and Ontario Women's Hockey Association. Andress "expects other sports such as gymnastics, swimming, cycling and running to join" (AP, 5/1).
