The WNBA is “far from the sports version of a startup” in its 30th season, but “like a plucky, undervalued company that suddenly becomes a boom stock, the league is experiencing growing pains as it adjusts to its newfound au courant status,” according to Christopher Gasper of the BOSTON GLOBE. The product on the court has arguably “never been better or better received.” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced at the All-Star break that “attendance was up” 16% and “two-thirds of the 15 teams are drawing 10,000 fans or more per home game.” Gasper: “It would behoove the WNBA to develop thicker skin. Big girls don’t whine. But it would also behoove the league if it were more proactive in boxing out those who want to appropriate the WNBA product for their culture crusades.” The league is “walking a fine line between courting widespread appeal and protecting the loyal audience and inclusive principles that crafted its ethos.” The WNBA is “in the big leagues now” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15).
CANNOT IGNORE: The AP’s Doug Feinberg wrote it is “difficult to ignore the conversations that are swirling around the WNBA.” South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said, “All the big pieces and all the things that are happening from a racial standpoint, from an officiating standpoint are great. They’re great because the NBA went through it — the NBA went through all of it. So this is just badges of honor. Will we get through it? We will get through it.” Feinberg wrote “polarizing views have become a major topic of conversation” across the league. WNBPA President and Sparks F Nneka Ogwumike said that she feels “awful for the transgender fans who have supported the league for so many years.” Ogwumike said, “It really breaks my heart to think about how these conversations may be affecting people who have supported us for so long.” Staley said, “It’s an incredible product that we’re missing out on because we got distractions every time. There’s something great happening, there are always distractions placed in your life, but you got to be able to handle them.” (AP, 8/15).
GOOD INVESTMENT? Former WNBAer Diana Taurasi said, “Do you want to believe in the chaotic, toxic side of it that’s going sideways? Or do you want to believe in, man, look at these arenas are packed, the visibility, games are on TV, people are taking notice, we’re talking about it.” She added, “You watch games, everyone’s putting up a hundred points. The league, from a stylistic standpoint, is what we’ve wanted for a long time: free flowing. People can actually show their skill and the things that they’ve worked on, their footwork” (ESPN.com, 8/14).
FROM THE TOP DOWN: Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said, “It really pisses me off. It’s disappointing. This is a great league, we’ve got great players with great stories, great rookies, great teams.” He added, “We’ve just spent so much time talking about the wrong stuff, and I don’t know why that happens in our league, it’s disappointing. I don’t know who can help change the narrative. Is it the coaches or the players or the media?” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 8/15).