Future of the WNBA

[semper]

Two stories on ESPN this AM. One on David's Stern's commitment and retirement:
http://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/...issioner-david-stern-changed-women-basketball

And a speculative one related to the fate of the Sparks, and the whole season ahead:
http://espn.go.com/wnba/story/_/id/10340654/wnba-wnba-holding-pattern

As a fan of WCBB, the importance of the WNBA has grown tremendously in my life. Here is where the athletes I watch for four years have a chance to shine, to develop further. We get to see so many dream games and situations, and the way USA basketball is sustained too by WNBA can't be overestimated.

What do you think will happen? Is the future secure?

 

[psconn]

My season ticket commitment is due today and I am conflicted. I love going to these games. It's 30 minutes from my living room chair to my seats at the Sun. On a per-game basis, its affordable with free parking and the opportunity for good dining at the venue. But last year was a train wreck for the Sun after years of winning seasons. I have no confidence that Sun management can right the ship and I'm not talking only about wins and losses. Management fired one of the best coaches in the league, a guy who was a part of the community and seemed willing to be there long term AND a guy who players want to play for. This is important when the area offers so little for most free agent players to come here for. Surprisingly they did this with no identified successor, and then hired a coach who's record does not suggest long term stability (this IS the land of steady habits). Key players were totally alienated and apparently pissed off by the way this and other matters were handled and will probably not be back. I give coach D a total pass on the win-loss record due to mismanagement by the front office and mostly, the INJURIES.

So now what. Is the league shaky? If the whole thing goes bust do I lose my money? Do we lose Tina, a player who would have been a great foundation for building any team around for years to come? What could you possibly get in trade that would even approach equal value? Can anyone in this draft really make a major impact (like EDD did)? UGH!!

 

[semper]

So sad...and so important for the future of the sport that this be rectified on all fronts. But who can do it. When Geno retires, he should head up the whole mess, he and Muffit....that is if the WNBA can hang on for ten or 15 years while they continue to coach.

 

[jsloanjr]

IMO, The WNBA has been in trouble for the past 5 years. Our quality players come back from Europe, Asia and wherever, injured, tired and worn out from just finishing 9 months overseas. Us fans here in the states get a watered down product and top $$$ for tickets......We stopped our season tickets 3 years ago. I will buy prime seats or use points from my Casino cards...

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

IMO, The WNBA has been in trouble for the past 5 years. Our quality players come back from Europe, Asia and wherever, injured, tired and worn out from just finishing 9 months overseas. Us fans here in the states get a watered down product and top $ for tickets.We stopped our season tickets 3 years ago. I will buy prime seats or use points from my Casino cards...

Probably longer than 5 years in some ways. We were inaugural season ticket holders for the NY Liberty and had them less than 10 years (we were not disenchanted, it was just too difficult and pricey to get to the games at MSG at the time. But the last few seasons, we constantly looked at attendance figures (reported) and what our eyes told us, and just shook our heads. Following various franchises on TV over the years - ever decreasing TV unfortunately - we always saw attendance numbers that accounted for patrons disguised as empty seats for most teams.

As to the quality players coming back worn out, that's been true since the beginning. The quality of the product has steadily improved (granted, it isn't the same style as WCBB and won't be because the players are too good) and the fan experience seems to continue to be entertaining. It certainly was last season in Phoenix (we had a 4 game mini-package). Tickets were pricey, but they were 2nd row with some extras included. Not sure about other ticket prices, we are going to look into whether or not we can afford a mini-pack (not 2nd row) this year. Unfortunately, unlike the OP, I'm 2 hours from my team's arena, which often means an overnight as well.

 

[ThisJustIn]

It's intriguing when folks point to price as the issue and then complain that the players are "worn out" because they play abroad where they can work for 9months. It's as if they deliberately misunderstand the link between a player's salary and revenue from ticket sales.

As I said in another thread -- you get what you don't pay for.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

It's intriguing when folks point to price as the issue and then complain that the players are "worn out" because they play abroad where they can work for 9months. It's as if they deliberately misunderstand the link between a player's salary and revenue from ticket sales.

As I said in another thread -- you get what you don't pay for.

Yes - for sporting events - prices for the WNBA are extremely reasonable. Check out any chart comparing what you pay for a seat for the W vs. what that seat goes for a NBA game, for example.

Price is a factor for me because, in the first place, I just can't regularly afford tickets at over $100 each, when you add in a night's hotel and the corresponding food. Our Liberty tix in the day (and they were good seats) were, IIRC, somewhere around $30 a game each, which of course adds up over a full season. Add in NYC parking, and food situations for some games, and the wear and tear and we couldn't do it any more.

I wasn't complaining about the price or the player's condition, just answering the OP's comments.

 

[TheTruthBelow]

Half the league was reportedly profitable last season. Anytime a team runs into trouble, the demise of the WNBA is supposedly on the brink. No, I don't see it happening.

In regard to the Sparks' situation specifically, it seems like Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob is ready to buy the team, but the WNBA would prefer an owner who will keep the team in LA.

 

[psconn]

It's intriguing when folks point to price as the issue and then complain that the players are "worn out" because they play abroad where they can work for 9months. It's as if they deliberately misunderstand the link between a player's salary and revenue from ticket sales.

As I said in another thread -- you get what you don't pay for.

As I said in my post, I think the price is affordable, I would add reasonable, and when things are going well (not last year), a bargain. I don't know if there is a consistent ticket price structure across the league, but maybe parking, accommodations and food are prohibitive for some fans. I am lucky to live <1/2 hr from the venue so accommodations are not necessary, food expenditures are optional, and of course parking is free at the Sun.

 

[JellyBean]

I am a huge fan of the WNBA and wish that the league finds some solid ground. I would hate to see the league fold because many people want the league to fold. There has to be a way for teams to make money and stay profitable while being competitive. You would think that with all of our universities across America and studnets majoring in marketing and business, somebody could create a plan where the league is profitable.