WNBA Atlanta Dream G Renee Montgomery said there "needs to be a lot of excitement" around the league's new CBA because it is a "big deal." Montgomery said that the new deal is "creative" and that she is "excited about the league and team marketing requirements and financial investments along with the league now having standards in certain areas ... that normally operated on a team-by-team basis" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 1/16).
CALIFORNIA DREAMING: In L.A., Dylan Hernandez writes the Galaxy's "impending deal" for LaLiga club Sevilla F Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez will "rank as one of the most significant player transfers" in MLS history when completed. Like David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic before him, Hernandez will "make MLS more relevant than it was before," and for the league, that is "enough." MLS "doesn't require saving." It "just has to continue moving forward" (L.A. TIMES, 1/16).
FIND THE LEADER: YAHOO SPORTS' Caitlin Murray wrote the "clock is ticking" for NWSL owners to get a new commissioner in place before the '20 preseason kicks off in March, but the "path has been cleared." NWSL President Amanda Duffy, a candidate for the job who had been the de facto commissioner since late '17, left to become Orlando Pride Exec VP, and her departure "may be the jolt NWSL owners need to get a strong commissioner in place." This year has potential to be a "little bit more fun to follow on the field if the league can avoid some of the off-the-field setbacks that have served as major talking points" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/14).
