WNBA's newest franchise, the Atlanta Dream, had its expansion draft Wednesday, and among the 13 players chosen by the team was Comets guard Roneeka Hodges.Right after Hodges was drafted, she was traded to the Seattle Storm for the eighth overall pick in the draft and guard Iziane Castro Marques.Hodges has been in the league for three years, all with the Comets, averaging 4.3 points per game, starting 4 ganes ub 2007, and scoring a career high of 17 against Pheonix.As a fan, I never knew whether to cheer or shudder when Roneeka Hodges entered the game. I'm fond of her, though... and wish her the best! (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for the Houston Chronicle).
The WNBA and WNBA Player's Association announced that they have entered into a collective bargaining agreement covering six seasons, 2008 through 2013.
Under the new agreement:- Player salaries are guaranteed to increase each year league-wide, and the individual maximum and minimum player salaries will continue to grow.
- Maximum salary increases from $93,000 to $95,000 this year, with a $2,000 increase each season.
- Veteran minimum salaries will increase by $1,000 to $50,000.
- Rookie minimums will grow from $32,600 to $34,500 this year.
- Like the expired CBA, the new agreement includes a revenue-sharing component should league revenues reach agreed-upon benchmarks.
- Adjustments to the free-agency system will increase player movement. Specifically, the number of players that each team may designate as core players decreases from two to one beginning in 2009.
I understand that the League must support itself, but it's a gosh darn shame that these numbers are so low. Is it the poverty of the fans? The greediness of Management? Corporate Skepticism? Or what? The women's game doesn't get the respect it deserves. How, how, how can we make it more successful? (And don't tell me to buy season tickets. I've done my share. Truly, I have. My enthusiasm for the team and the League hasn't waned an iota since 1997. If we were still competing in an arena befitting of our pro athletes (in a secure location that I could get to on time), I would be there. No disrespect meant toward my team, but I have to look after my own interests as well.
Last night's game wasn't televised, so my only impression came by webcast.
There has been much talk among fans, however, that Houston played a dirty game and the referees turned their heads. And a photo was provided as proof.
Some fans have gone as far as to say that the League condoned the behavior, because they didn't want to see Houston fail as a franchise.
Here's my reaction:
- I don't condone, nor do I want to watch a team that plays dirty. Playing hard and physical is one thing, but I don't respect dirty, in the least.
- I don't want the Comets to emulate the play of the Sparks, of old.
- This sort of accusation would have never been directed at Van Chancellor's Comets. He never would have allowed that style of play, regardless of standings. His hard fast rules might just be why he was decried by fans. The lesson here? Be careful what you ask for.
- It wouldn't be the first time a game was settled by referee's calls. I don't condone it, whether it is bad officiating or officiating with an agenda... but the agenda, I understand. Hear me out.
- I'm a great believer in the League conspiracy. By season 3, the Comets had a 'hit' on their heads with the referees. My theory then was that in order for the League to survive, other markets had to be successful. Though we're in Season 11 now, the success of the League is still tenuous. Perhaps we have come full circle. Perhaps other franchises are now feeling the weighted hand of officiating. It's not fair. In true sport, it's not fair at all. In addition to sport, however, the WNBA is a business, and it's entertainment. I thought then, what I hope you all will think now. If this is what it takes to ensure the League's success and longevity, so be it. What the WNBA provides, in terms of opportunity, hope, inspiration and spirit to young girls and women... is priceless.
- Not to discount the allegations, but I don't hear the Silver Stars (or their media) whining. According to the San Antonio Express-News: You've got to make baskets to score points, after all, and that wasn't in the Silver Stars' toolbox on Friday. 21 0f 70 from the field, and shooting just 30% (their lowest percentage of the season) doesn't win ball games.
The Mercury's Diana Taurasi was suspended for two games for what the league called "inappropriate conduct toward game officials", in response to a late call in their game Friday night against Detroit.
Taurasi was whistled for an offensive foul while trying to get open for an inbounds pass. She immediately began screaming and headed toward referee Michael Price after the buzzer."He’s terrible,” Taurasi said of Price after the game. “We played so hard for 40 minutes and not even to get a chance at the end to make a play. They just took it away from us. That’s complete (bull).”
While grateful that she's serving her suspension in two games against my Houston Comets, and though I didn't witness the "foul" or her behavior, I will say this:
This season's officiating has been horrendous. Between bad calls, late calls and petty calls, the game has grown to be almost excrutiating to watch. Our home games have been played so slow due to all the stops and starts, that it's nearly impossible, as a fan, to get emotionally connected.
So, having witnessed what I have, I'm inclined to side with Taurasi. As a stretch, I could understand a 'T' called on her, as they called on Tina Thompson last week when she protested a call... but a two game suspension from mere words and no contact??? That's over the line.
Season ticket-holders, Kathy Goodman (left) and Carla Christofferson are the new owners of the L.S. (Photo Courtesy of Robert Durell , LA Times, Article by jerome.crowe@latimes.com ).
This is an awesome story of fan(s) and fantasy! And I think it's just terrific that these women have, among their assets, the STH perspective!
In fact, they apparently entered the arena for their June 2nd game and walked right past the floor seats set aside for them and cheered for their team from the upper reaches of the lower bowl, among the throngs of Sparks fans!Highlights from the article:When asked what's the best thing about owning the Sparks, Goodman replied, "If I'm going to be a geeky fan about it, I would say, the players saying hi to me," she said. "And hanging out with Michael Cooper. It's very cool." And their top priority seems to be the fans. Goodman said, "I feel like I'm responsible for them. Like, 'OK, they need to have a good time and it needs to be a good game.' I sort of feel like I'm throwing a party and if people don't have a good time, I'm not a good host."
