WNBA President Laurel Richie made her annual stop in Atlanta on Sunday to watch the Dream’s game against Phoenix. She took some time at halftime to discuss the state of the league. Here are highlights from that discussion.
Q: How do Atlanta and its fan base stack up to the 11 other WNBA cities?
A: Having 12 teams is like having 12 children. They're all different, right? But I think Atlanta has had a terrific year. They're doing well in terms of attendance and they've got some really nice programming happening. Had an interesting trade recently, so we'll see the impact and effect of that. But I think they're off to a good start this year.
Q: With top draft picks like Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne immediately improving their teams, do you WNBA franchises tank games to get those high draft picks?
A: I don't think there's an issue with tanking at all. I spend a lot of time with our coaches and with our players and I think … I never question their absolute drive to win. I think we are a smaller league and I think, as you know in sports all the time, there are teams that are … sort of the ebb and flow is natural. The way the draft works, it doesn't always happen that the team who's got greatest odds of getting the No. 1 pick gets it. But I don't worry about tanking. I think there's a collective desire to make sure that the competition is as balanced as it can be and we have a system and the system runs by the odds.
Q: How has the hiring of Becky Hammon and Nancy Lieberman in the NBA increased awareness of the WNBA as an integral part of basketball? And how is the WNBA seizing the opportunity of the exposure they’re bringing?
A: I think Becky has said it best. She says very eloquently (that) she would not have had the opportunity to develop her basketball IQ to the level that it is without the WNBA. And therefore, the WNBA is a critical part of her basketball journey that has her now riding at this position. So as head of the league, I love to hear her acknowledge and recognize the role that the WNBA has played in her career. I'm thrilled for her. I think she's an incredible talent. She has always fought her way into the positions that she achieves. I think her victory this summer was great. Actually, today she is being inducted into the ring of honor at Madison Square Garden by the New York Liberty. So, we continue to recognize her as a league and some of the teams that she has played on as she moves forward. So, I think it's great for the league. And Nancy's journey is a slightly different one. But what I also love about both Becky and Nancy is they're very aware of the significance of their appointments, but they are just trying to be really good assistant coaches and deliver. So, I just think the way in which they recognize the opportunity but are not daunted by it and want to do a good job so that the door opens for more and more women I think is really terrific.
Q: You’re setting up a committee after this season to determine if the league should expand. What will that committee be specifically looking at?
A: I'm actually looking to them to help shape the criteria for expansion, to take a look at how we as a league — in partnership with legal staff who will be part of the committee, as well — but how we really take a strategic approach to expansion. So, I'm really looking forward to their input on that.
Q: Are there any potential frontrunner cities for expansion?
A: No frontrunners at this moment. We'll let that team — I'm a big believer in process — so we'll let the team come together and sort through and come back to the board with their recommendations.
Q: How long would a vetting process take for expansion?
A: As I said, this committee is just now … we will form it between now and the end of the year. And I don't have a timeline in mind for expansion. I'm very much looking forward to them working with league staff to sort of set and put a plan in place.
Q: What kind of expertise will you be seeking in the formation of the committee?
A: The core of it will be a sub-group of our owners and then they will have the resources of the entire league to support them in that.
Q: Now to women’s college hoops. How has Connecticut’s dynasty — that doesn’t seem like it’ll end for 20 years — changed the impact and reach of the pro game, especially with the increased coverage of women’s college basketball?
A: I understand what you're saying. I also think there's incredible depth right now in the women's college game. There may not be as many dynasties, but I look at what's happening at Stanford, what's happening at Louisville, what's happening at Baylor, what's happening at Notre Dame. So when I look out, I see an incredible — I feel like every year the talent gets better and better and better as it moves through the ranks and ultimately ends up at the WNBA. And I think that's because there are record levels of young girls engaged in basketball,and 40-plus years after Title IX, the coaching staffs have gotten better at the kid level, junior high school, high school and on to college. So, I think the collective of women's basketball is producing talent at a higher and higher level. So, I look at the college market and see breadth.
Q: How do you think the increase in competition this year will help overall popularity of the league? It seems like most teams have a good chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.
A: Absolutely. I think that this year, I don't have in my head exactly what the games back is. But in the East, it's been hovering around three, 3 1/2. So, I think every team has a legitimate chance of making it to the postseason. After that, those who make the finals is obviously narrower. But I think that speaks to the depth of talent in the league right now and I think it's going to be a really exciting second half of the season.
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