Wnba 2016

[Durbansandshark]

WNBA teams will ditch white uniforms this season by going colo(u)r versus colo(u)r on its 20th anniversary. The Dallas Wings, formerly the Tulsa Shock, has yet to unveil theirs:
http://news.sportslogos.net/2016/03/...r-20th-season/

A new WNBA playoff format takes effect this year with the aim partly to get all the WNBA postseason games nationally televised on ESPN, which didn't happen last year. Also more importantly rewards the best teams overall regardless of geographical division (like in our MLS here in the US and Canada):
http://www.wnba.com/news/regular-sea...s-2016-season/

[Durbansandshark]

2016 WNBA Draft results from the Mohegan Sun Arena can be seen here. Breanna Stewart going to (surprise!) Seattle at #1 with her Connecticut teammates Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson immediatley following her to go 1-2-3. Interestingly, there was only one non-NCAA foriegner drafted in Belgium's Julie Allemond coming into the 3rd round by Indiana:
http://www.wnba.com/2016-draft-board/

A record 4 Canadians were drafted into the WNBA that night with the likes of Oregon St.'s Ruth Hamblin and Jaime Weisner, Florida St.'s Adut Bulgak, and UCLA's Nirra Fields. Another sign of the current Canadian basketball boom extends to the women's game:
http://www.basketball.ca/en/news-art...016-wnba-draft

[Durbansandshark]

A shame that LJ retired from playing because in part, it would've been nice to see her on-court and in practice, mentor Breanna Stewart, herself an outlier player that Loz was in Seattle. She still can when she returns to Seattle. Just not as a player and Stewie can still pick her brain. On court and practice, Stewie will turn to the likes of Sue Bird (herself having knee issues in her own tremendous pro career) for learning the pro game. And is fortunate to still have her as a UCONN alum for it.

Well Sue and Roxanne are obviously excited of a Connecticut Huskies trio in Seattle:
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-bre...420-story.html

By now, many worldwide are hearing that Prince shockingly died this morning in his suburban Minneapolis home at the age of 57. He was a musical genius no doubt. But he was also a big basketball fan--he played basketball in his junior high school days--and was also a friend of the WNBA champs Minnesota Lynx. On their website, the Lynx are crying over the popular Minneapolis icon and went purple with Lynx players' tweets paying tribute. In fact, it's raining in the Twin Cities now. Just not in purple:
http://lynx.wnba.com/news/lynx-remember-prince/
http://www.startribune.com/prince-an...ory/376611931/

NBA and WNBA ditch Supersport from South Africa in Sub-Sahara African media rights after this year and moves on to a new Zimbabwean-based media entity called Econet TV with greater games exposure on hand:
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-bre...420-story.html

[Durbansandshark]

Breanna Stewart, the Seattle Storm's rookie sensation, signs with the Swoosh that already has her Storm teammates Sue Bird and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Elena Delle Donne, Britney Greiner, and Skyler Diggins. A relationship that already is nurtured with being at Connecticut that wears Nike:
http://news.nike.com/news/nike-signs-breanna-stewart

Fellow WNBA rookies Rachel Banham, Aerial Powers, Jonquel Jones and Tiffany Mitchell also join.

[Dene15]

So which Australians are actually heading to the WNBA? I know Phillips and O'Hea are there now, but I'm not sure if anyone else. Will any head over after the Olympics? Will Cambage make a WNBA comeback for the Wings? Surely Dallas is a more attractive Opportunity than Tulsa. Did Bec Allen not get invited back to NY, or has she chosen to stay in Australia?

[Durbansandshark]

Like to bring attention to an excellent ESPN article written by the great Kate Fagan I heard about on ESPN Radio that's the centerpiece of an upcoming WNBA-themed ESPN The Magazine. While WNBA and Team USA stars (and Nike mates) Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, currently with Russian and EuroLeague women's basketball powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg, are the focal points as friends in making more lucrative cash playing overseas. Known about the pay discrepancy for years. This is as much about the shortcomings and need for growth in the WNBA still fighting for respect in the North American sports landscape 20 years after its founding. Far and away the most successful women's pro basketball league in the USA. The cultural influence on the players and on women's sports are astounding

Reasons for the WNBA's basketball business model as it stands and hopes to move it forward are complicated, especially when compared with the structures outside the US and Canada. Make you wonder why aren't the superstars playing in the WNBA paid millions. Since UMMC is a huge Russian copper mining company, surely it can afford to shell the bucks. And the fans who come to the arena to see UMMC Ekaterinburg in action are not unlike sports fans here: there are those who appreciate women's basketball but many are just as casual and seek any entertainment. I like the club structure with perhaps some local government funding. Some Russian club have a rich benefactor like Spartak, CSKA, and UMMC.

Perhaps the WNBA's strategy to attract the overwhelmingly male casual fans is a bit of a mistake. Don't get me started on the subtle negative attitudes coming from guys, who say the WNBA (and even the semipro women's basketball leagues) isn't a real basketball league. Unfortunately, a lot of mainstream American sports fans knowledge and habits are very myopic. Not necessarily the most open-minded, lacking the curiousity to learn about other and more marginal (and often interesting) sports and league. Mainstream tastes and habits rarely change, mutate, develop, and expand in whatever element (be it sports, TV, radio, music, movies) it is in because they're rarely allowed to. People fear the unfamiliar to the already-accepted. Also the WNBA is perceived to less aesthetic entertainment value when juxtaposed with men's pro sports to spectators: that is, very little dunking, no fast-paced athleticism, little physicality, no one-on-ones, etc. Placing based on attendance, TV ratings, and revenue why many, guys especially, turn away.

But the WNBA has to hold themselves accountable in terms of marketing its stars, despite strong association with the NBA. Media promotion and outlets for the WNBA should be much better than it is presently. They're "out of sight, out of mind" existing in a void to many in the offseason. The supermodel-like NFL by contrast with all the news it makes in the sports media is a year-round business with trade rumors, free agency, rivalries, internal disputes, locker room controversy, bad guys and good guys narratives that moves the needle. But the WNBA is rather conservative, fearing any bad pub forthcoming gives it a black eye to the league as a whole as it aims for long-term mainstream respect and growing women's basketball. Kate Fagan, a former Colorado St. basketball player, wonders is controversy good for the WNBA

Men and women both support the NBA. But it's a shame with the WNBA. Wish they would support the ladies more. Indeed there are women's issues and situations that negatively impact women in a male dominated society. 6 WNBA teams made profit last year. But the WNBA really shouldn't be the NBA. It's what the free market in the US will bear right now; the NBA didn't start being big until a couple more decades later. Game could be done by emphasizing and tweaking towards skill but care must be used to avoid a slippery slope. Surely I want to see them and those who will come afterwards to succeed and eventually women's sports will get better mainstream acceptance. Might take some decades more:
http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/stor...cape-spotlight

PS: When will we see Toronto get a WNBA franchise?

[Durbansandshark]

A collection of really nice material to click on from the current ESPN issue devoted to the WNBA's 20 years. Including that one written by Kate Fagan I linked on my last post here:
http://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/page...rsary-coverage

SB Nation gives 20 reasons upon the WNBA's 20th anniversary Like Elena Delle Donne and Breanna Stewart:
http://www.sbnation.com/2016/5/14/11...reanna-stewart

Chicago Magazine gives Elena Delle Donne some love and the cover:
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Ma...a-Delle-Donne/

If there's any chance of Toronto getting the WNBA--and there hasn't been any developments or interest recently, even exploratory--getting support from Canada Basketball at a time when the Canadian women are rising internationally is a must. Should be really easy for that to happen; there's not going to be a Canadian women's pro basketball league for quite some time that will deepen the Canadian talent level. No doubt it will and help promote the women's pro game in Toronto. Edmonton, because of its history (think the Edmonton Grads) and of the training camps there, seems to be the only other Canadian city I can think of that can right away.

[Durbansandshark]

Although the announcement of potential WNBA expansion was made nearly a year ago, don't expect any expansion for perhaps another year or two from 2017. That said, some of the former WNBA markets ought to have a second chance like Houston, Tulsa, Charlotte, Sacramento, Portland, Miami, Orlando, Detroit, Cleveland, and Salt Lake City. And maybe look into fresh ones like Toronto, Columbus (Ohio), Philadelphia, San Francisco, Nashville, Denver, Kansas City/St.Louis, Des Moines, and Omaha. Think it's a mix of those two camps when it gets finalized:
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/s...ars-down-road/

Oh yeah, the Dallas Wings, the team formerly known as the Detroit and Tulsa Shock, showed their brand new getups with the help of Skyler Diggins and Odyssey Sims:
http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2016/4/...bna-draft-2016

History of WNBA jersey sponsors history:

Phoenix Mercury--Life Lock (2009-2014), Talking Stick Resort and Casino Arizona (2014-present)
Indiana Fever-–Finish Line, Inc.
Minnesota Lynx-–Mayo Clinic
San Antonio Stars-–H-E-B
Chicago Sky–-Magellan Corporation
Los Angeles Sparks-–EquiTrust Life Insurance; team was formerly sponsored by Farmers Insurance
New York Liberty – DraftKings; team was formerly sponsored by Foxwoods Casino
Connecticut Sun – Frontier Communications
Seattle Storm – Swedish Medical Center; team was formerly sponsored by Bing
Dallas Wings--Verizon
Tulsa Shock--Osage Casino
Washington Mystics--Inova Health System

On August 22, 2011, the WNBA announced a league-wide marquee sponsorship with Boost Mobile, a multiyear, eight-figure deal that allowed the Boost Mobile logo placed on eleven of the 12 teams' jerseys (excluding San Antonio's) in addition to branding on the courts and in arenas. Then on March 14, 2016, the WNBA completed a deal with Verizon Wireless to place them on 10 of the 12 team jerseys. The deal includes a space on the front of 10 jerseys, excluding the Stars and Sun, in-arena advertising, and reserved commercial space during WNBA broadcasts. The deal also includes the sponsorship of the All-Star Game, Inspiring Women Luncheon, and other unspecified events. However, this deal will not include the Monthly and Yearly Awards. 14 days later, the league introduced new uniforms with the new Verizon sponsor, which eliminated white jerseys and made the secondary color a basis for a uniform. The jersey font will remain unchanged as well as the primary color used for the away uniform, and they can use either jersey for home and away games.

Ignored the fact the Washington Mystics actually died during the offseason. That's a shame. When they first burst onto the scene, it was a leader in WNBA attendance at the MCI (now Verizon) Center. Had some star power with Holdsclaw. But it failed to sustain it for years on end with consistent and deep postseason success hopes. Hope they return in the future.

[Durbansandshark]

Sorry for the lack of WNBA updates for a really good stretch this year. With a newly revamped playoff format this year to increase excitement and improve TV exposure to get all playoff games televised, we are now left with just two teams standing: the defending champions Minnesota Lynx, rightfully among the best WNBA franchises ever, and very sadly the Now Deservedly Crumbling Evil Laker Empire WNBA Chapter (). From the start, it looked like the Lynx were performing their own answer to the Golden St. Warriors' start going undefeated. Then the NDCELE WNBA Chapter overtook them for a time and threatened for the best WNBA record of all time.

Minnesota sweeps Phoenix with the NDCELE WNBA Chapter holding off Chicago 3-1. WNBA Finals begins October 9. Minnesota, because of who they're facing coming up, better win. Do it for Prince!

Turns out Washington did play this season. Didn't make the playoffs this season at 13-21 being dead last in the East.

No big shock that former UCONN All-American Breanna Stweart dominated the Rookie Awards including the most obvious one in the Rookie of the Year Award for Seattle. She won all but one of the 39 first-place votes. I was a little surprise she help take Seattle to the postseason. Yet she lost more games this rookie season (eighteen) than she did in her entire 4-year Connecticut Huskies championship career. Something to build upon for seasons to come with titles hopefully.

San Antonio Silver Stars wins the 2016 WNBA Draft Lottery followed by Washington, Dallas, and the NDCELE WNBA Chapter (from a trade with Connecticut):
http://www.wnba.com/news/stars-win-t...17-wnba-draft/

[Durbansandshark]

One thing I ignored in this WNBA season throughout is the fact that Brian Alger, a former Lynx (and Storm and ABL's Columbus Quest) coach, resides at the opposite side of the bench with the NDCELE WNBA Chapter. He's a coach I respect until I discovered he's now with THEM!
http://www.twincities.com/2016/10/15...of-wnba-title/

But now it's comes to the final game of the season with a winner-takes-all Game 5 in Minneapolis Thursday night at the Target Center. Minnesota had to survive those frantic final minutes to escape from the Arena of Evil last night with a 85-79 win. Social media users are blowing up over Maya Moore's torching and now-legendary performance! No doubt she's a winner wherever she goes!
http://www.startribune.com/maya-moor...als/397320731/
http://www.twincities.com/2016/10/16...ciding-game-5/
http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/20...of-wnba-finals
http://www.startribune.com/lynx-surv...s/397257151/#1
http://www.latimes.com/sports/sports...nap-story.html

[Andy K]

Im pleased for Parker. LA played a great game 5, deserve the win.

[Durbansandshark]

Disagree wholeheartedly here. This is the NDCELE WNBA Chapter we're dealing with that sadly got another title in Minneapolis. Shame on you, Minnesota, shame on you! Especially when you set a WNBA Finals Target Center attendance milestone, eventually embarassing the poor Lynx fans who crave to see you repeat and allowed that rotten entity succeed:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/a...x-10008801.php
http://www.startribune.com/lynx-sell...one/397946181/

WNBA refs admits to erring in not disallowing Ogwumike's earlier shot that should NEVER have counted due to a shot-clock violation. Should've handed the trophy back to Minnesota! Now the Lynx are just like the GSW at Game 7 in Oakland's Oracle Arena this past June. Bunch of dummies...
http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/20...me-5-of-finals

Even with Elena Delle Donne (and despite her due to her thumb injury), Chicago lets go of coach/GM Pokey Chatman. Feels like the Sky have diminished returns:
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2...rts/161028703/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...028-story.html

[Durbansandshark]

Once that wretched corrupt entity's tragedy (another undeserved title) becomes more distant, we can talk about other and better things.

Seattle Storm will host the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game for the first time on July 22:
http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/...-all-star-game

Worst team in the WNBA for two seasons running, the San Antonio Silver Stars, turn to Vickie Johnson in her head coaching gig on a one-year contract:
http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/...son-head-coach

Elena Delle Donne certainly acts ready to get out of Chicago. If this happens, the Sky certainly will lose its star power perhaps with nothing to effectively compensate for her potential departure. Interesting to watch here as this unfolds:
http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/...quest-new-team

[2sc945]

Once that wretched corrupt entity's tragedy (another undeserved title) becomes more distant, we can talk about other and better things.

Seattle Storm will host the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game for the first time on July 22:
http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/...-all-star-game

Worst team in the WNBA for two seasons running, the San Antonio Silver Stars, turn to Vickie Johnson in her head coaching gig on a one-year contract:
http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/...son-head-coach

Elena Delle Donne certainly acts ready to get out of Chicago. If this happens, the Sky certainly will lose its star power perhaps with nothing to effectively compensate for her potential departure. Interesting to watch here as this unfolds:
http://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/...quest-new-team

Bro, where are you now? I miss reading your informative posts.

[Durbansandshark]

Sorry for the lack of posts here in recent years. But there's nothing like this year unlike so many to revive things. Been meaning to do so until now.

The WNBA is back and was originally supposed to tip-off in June. But the pandemic had other and more serious plans. Now the WNBA is playing in Braderton, Florida's IMG Academy Complex also in the Central Florida region near the NBA's at Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports inside its own bubble known as the "Wubble" with all of its teams there.

The 2020 season actually begins right now with the Seattle Storm and the New York Liberty live on ESPN here at IMG, marking Oregon Ducks All-American star Sabrina Ionescu's pro debut. Star-studded game on both sides with Stewie, Kia, Sue, and Wan Xu with Sabrina. Australian Bec Allen, also with NY, opted out this year. Plus the Liberty has a new owner in Victor Tsai. More on that and others later.

[Durbansandshark]

Seattle and Las Vegas for the WNBA title right now