By Jovany O. Rowley
Orange Walk, OW, Belize
May 15, 2003
The WNBA is heading into its seventh season. OK, whom are we kidding? The WNBA is rushing into its seventh season. Is this finally the ‘heavenly’ season, where attendance and TV ratings finally increase – increasing high enough to bring the league close to making a profit?
No doubt the fact that the signing of a collective bargaining agreement took so long had an affect on the season. As soon as the agreement was signed, the league hurriedly held the draft lottery, dispersal draft, and the college/international draft. So much so, that many fans did not know about some of those events until after they have been held. Then there are certain players who are openly against the collective bargaining agreement, or at least against certain points. Plus the fact that some teams have either been relocated or disbanded doesn’t help.
There is one thing the WNBA has going for itself this season, though, and that’s drama – something we all love. There’s Sue Bird’s return to Connecticut, and Cynthia Cooper’s return to the league and the Comets – who would love to make her comeback like Jordan did the first time, well not if the Sparks have anything to say about that. There’s also Teresa Edwards’ return to professional basketball, and then there’s Jung Sun-Min – the first Korean in the league.
There have also been some interesting trades and acquisitions this past off-season: Jennifer Gillom going to L.A., Korie Hlede returning to Detroit, Natalie Williams going to Indiana, and Sheri Sam to the Lynx – just to name a few. Teams are now far more talented and this will bound to show up in the standings. Look out for Minnesota – with a new coach (Suzie McConnell-Serio) and a new starting lineup (Williams, Smith, Sam, Abrosimova, Edwards) are bound to make some noise in the West. Plus, keep an eye on Detroit, with newly-acquired Ruth Riley and Kedra Holland-Corn, along with a new outlook, should shake up the East.
Finally, there are the ‘new’ teams. It will be quite interesting to see how the people of Connecticut will embrace a team playing in an arena on the grounds of a casino. The Sun only drew a little over 2,000 in attendance for their preseason home opener. The San Antonio Silver Stars, however, have put much time and effort into planning for their new team, and has high hopes for attendance this season.
With all the drama and with the increase talent per team, this will be quite an interesting season. One question remains, however, will the fans show up, or as the Storm ad mentions, will they ‘bring it’? I will! Will you?
Don’t blink, ‘cause the way things are going, you’re bound to miss something!
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