On Sunday August sixth, WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert talked about league enlargement, progress, journey issues, and the way forward for ladies’s basketball.
August 10, 2023
Sunday, August sixth was a extremely anticipated matchup between two premium groups within the league, the New York Liberty, and the Las Vegas Aces. Previous to tipoff at 3 PM EDT, WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert made an look on the Barclays Heart. She spoke in size in regards to the present standing of the WNBA, and her excessive expectations for the long run. She was proceeded by President, Lisa Borders, and was named the very first commissioner in 2019.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reiterated the league’s plan to increase. pic.twitter.com/d23prCzq59
— ESPN (@espn) August 7, 2023
1997, the Inaugural Season of the WNBA
The Girls’s Nationwide Basketball Affiliation was based on April 22, 1996, and impressed by David Stern. It included eight groups; the Cleveland Rockers, Charlotte Sting, Houston Comets, New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and the Utah Starzz.
Sheryl Swoopes, a ahead for the Houston Comets, was the primary signed WNBA participant, and Val Ackerman was named the primary WNBA President. Within the 1997 WNBA Inaugural draft, Tina Thompson was chosen first general, by the Houston Comets.
Because the Outset of the league, there are at present twelve complete groups as of 2023. The league noticed as many as sixteen groups, nonetheless, ten groups financially folded. The Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, Miami Sol, Portland Fireplace, and Sacramento Monarchs are franchises that dismantled.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert gave her ideas on the enlargement of the league, and the advance of constitution flights.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on the expansion on the #wnba and the way forward for the league. @ballislifewbb_ pic.twitter.com/ICneHSNNME
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) August 6, 2023
Will the WNBA increase?
“Clearly, we’re working very laborious on enlargement. That is one thing I believe we have to do, not simply due to opening up—probably 12-24 roster spots. Additionally, with a league that is the longest tenured ladies’s skilled league within the nation, by double every other, we want greater than twelve groups,” Engelbert advised reporters.
Along with the defunct franchises, The WNBA relocated groups in varied locations. The Connecticut Solar was as soon as referred to as the Orlando Miracle. Earlier than the Las Vegas Aces, the franchise operated because the Utah Starzz, and the San Antonio Silver Stars. The Detroit Shock, who gained three WNBA championships, relocated to Tulsa, then Dallas.
“We should be in some large cities on this nation, the place our demographics and psychographic, and all our information and knowledge present’s that there is some nice markets on the market for WNBA basketball, stated Commissioner Engelbert.
Although the WNBA eyes enlargement, many gamers vocalized the significance of addressing inside points firsts. Kelsey Plum, of the Las Vegas Aces, said, “When you have been to ballot the gamers proper now, and ask in the event that they’d slightly have enlargement or constitution, I believe it is a fairly clear consensus across the board.” (Wendell Cruz/ USA Immediately Sports activities).
Journey issues within the WNBA
In relation to journey within the WNBA, many gamers have been vocal on constitution flights. Resulting from monetary constraints, the league can’t at present accommodate round $25 million for flights[charter], that cowl common and put up season. Breanna Stewart, of the New York Liberty, expressed the need for constitution flights.
“I might contribute my NIL, posts + manufacturing hrs to make sure all of us journey in a approach that prioritizes participant well being + security, which in the end ends in a greater product,” Stewart Tweeted.
I might like to be a part of a deal that helps subsidize constitution journey for the whole WNBA.
I might contribute my NIL, posts + manufacturing hrs to make sure all of us journey in a approach that prioritizes participant well being + security, which in the end ends in a greater product.
Who’s with me?
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) January 22, 2023
The WNBA Commissioner wasn’t shy in regards to the subject and emphasised the significance of well being and security in the case of journey.
“Clearly on journey, there isn’t any one that wishes it greater than me —higher journey situations for the gamers, we’re working laborious on that as properly. That is an entire transformation of financial mannequin for girls’s sports activities. It is all about media rights. When you look again in historical past, about how the boys acquired their advantages and pay—it was all of the multibillion-dollar media proper charges deal, so I’m very optimistic.”
A number of athletes demand journey adjustments
Satou Sabally shared her ideas on journey within the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/rZQz3BvQei
— espnW (@espnW) August 9, 2023
A number of athletes conveyed their wishes to make such adjustments, together with Brittney Griner, Kayla McBride, and Elizabeth Williams. There was a lot scrutiny after the WNBA used constitution flights just for the Commisioner Cup and WNBA Finals in 2022. These ladies spoke on lounge entry in airports, well being, security, and personal flights. Satou Sabally, of the Dallas Wings, voiced her frustration, and said “lowering journey time will increase restoration time.” (ESPN W Twitter).
Commissioner Engelbert touched upon the significance of media, and the way it will influence funding the league. ” With the following spherical of media negotiations, we’ll have the ability to fund one thing a lot greater, however as you already know, we have been chipping away, over $4 million, some huge cash for the W— $4 million this 12 months on constitution, and can constitution New York as much as the Commissioners Cup in a number of weeks.” As well as, the Commissioner said the league will constitution full playoffs this 12 months.
WNBA viewership and media rights deal
https://twitter.com/ESPNPR/standing/1679164269915525123/photograph/1
In response to the WNBA, 2022 was the “most watched common season in 14 years.” At the moment nonetheless in a media rights deal till 2025, the league options video games on ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2. Final season, the league said there was a spike throughout social media, and merchandise. With the rising recognition of WNBA, Diana Taurasi hitting 10,000 factors, and the rivalry between New York and Las Vegas, viewership is up an unimaginable 46 % from 2022. The WNBA is averaging roughly 548,000 viewers.
The WNBA will renew its media rights deal in 2025, which is able to largely have an effect on the elevated calls for in journey. The Commissioner sounded optimistic the league will have the ability to make adjustments, and “capitalize off NCAA recognition.”
For extra WNBA associated articles, click on right here!
Sara Jane is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports activities Content material Creator on Twitch. She has a give attention to the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at present resides in Connecticut along with her Cat and Canine. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics.
Tweets by BallislifeBets
