http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/Daily_Training_Camp_Recap-222389-
230.html

Tune In – Rookie Bernice Mosby and Alana Beard will be on Comcast
SportsNet on Wednesday, April 25th at 6:00 p.m. The players will talk
about the upcoming Mystics season and even talk a little bit about the
NBA Playoffs…

Hi Charles: Does that mean Sy isn't going to be with the Mystics at all this
season or just that she is missing training camp? Where is she? Thanks, Joan


----- Original Message ----
From: onevkind <sixfeet2in@...>
To: themysticsfansarethebest@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:51:27 PM
Subject: [The Mystics' Fans Are The Best] Nikki Blue Out 3 To 6 Weeks With
Strain Knee Injury


http://www.spmsport spage.com/ published/ pr/nikki- blue-out- 36-weeks-
w.shtml

Also, Miriam Sy not attending training camp this season.




__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.spmsportspage.com/published/pr/nikki-blue-out-36-weeks-
w.shtml

Also, Miriam Sy not attending training camp this season.

Megan Vogel has come a long way. The Minnesota native came to South
Dakota State University in 2003, a season after the Jackrabbits won
the Division II national championship. The squad moved up to Division
I the following year, and Vogel — a four-year star — has led the
program to national prominence. The Jackrabbits made it to the 2007
WNIT quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Wyoming. At
the conclusion of her senior season, Vogel earned her second straight
All-Division I Independent First Team honor and was the 19th overall
pick by the Washington Mystics in the 2007 WNBA Draft. Vogel will be
blogging for WNBA.com throughout the preseason.


Background from Brookings
-Posted by Megan Vogel - April 16, 2007, 7:44 p.m. CT

To start this off, I thought I might introduce myself and give a
little background information, since most people outside of Brookings
and St. Peter really don't know very much about me, except from what
they saw on draft day.

I am originally from St. Peter, Minnesota. It's a small college town
in the southern part of the state and is one of those places where
everyone looks out for everyone else. You can ride your bike late at
night down the street and you can leave your car running when you go
into the grocery store to keep it warm during the winter. That's an
essential when you live in Minnesoooooooota! (I'm told I have a bit
of an accent… so I thought I would let it come through in print as
well!) Anyway, it's a nice little town. I like to tell people I grew
up there.

Brookings, South Dakota is similar to St. Peter, which is one of the
reasons I decided to go to college there. It's another small, college
town where the community takes you in as part of their family.

And our fans… I have to tell you about our fans. They are amazing.
For one of our WNIT games this year, they sold out Frost Arena in
less than four hours. Tickets went on sale at 1 p.m. and there was a
line at 10 a.m. In South Dakota. In March. "Amazing" is the only word
I can use to describe them.

As for school, I will graduate this May with a degree in Health,
Physical Education & Recreation. I would like to attend graduate
school this fall to get a master's in Sports Administration.
Basically, I am a sports fanatic. I want to be around the game for as
long as possible; first as a player, then as a coach!

Now that you know a little background information, let's get to the
exciting stuff! I am guessing you are wondering what things have been
like since draft day. Well, it has been… CRAZY! Yes, crazy seems like
a good word to use. I have had a lot of people come up to me this
past week and say, "Well, are you enjoying your time off before you
have to leave?" Wait… time off? Haha, I have to chuckle when I hear
that. There is no time for a break when training camp starts in two
weeks! I am one of those people who will go lift or shoot if I am
bored, if I need to waste some time, or, heck, even if I just want to
put off doing other things! :)

But, first, I have been taking care of things to ensure that I
graduate this spring. Getting my degree is a priority that I take
very seriously. To make sure I can accomplish that goal, I have been
getting all my work done for the rest of the semester before I take
off for Washington this Tuesday.

When I am not getting things in order for school, you can find me in
one of two places: the gym or the weight room. (Nancy Lieberman, if
you happen to read this… no, I am not working on my tan, but someday
I will get to it! By the way, my aunt got me a bottle of self-tanner
as a going-away present… I think it was more to make fun of me… but
it's all good.) Our strength coach kicked my butt all last week. IT
WAS GREAT! I got a lift in on Monday, and when Tuesday morning came,
I went to put on my socks, only to find that I couldn't put them on
standing up because I couldn't reach down to my feet. No, I am not
that old, but I was that sore!

In addition to lifting, my coaches have been nice enough to take me
through some individual basketball workouts. Individual workouts are
one of my favorite things about being a college basketball player…
mostly because you get to either shoot or take it to the rack for an
hour straight! Honestly, what's more fun than that? If I am not
working out with my coaches, you can usually find me on a shooting
machine called "The Gun." It is without a doubt one of my favorite
things, right next to my grandma's cooking -- nothing can top
grandma's homemade cookies and bread! -- but this machine ranks right
up there. You can shoot for hours on end and it rebounds all of your
shots and gets you a pass right back. There is nothing better than
hooking up my iPod and letting loose on the gun for a while!

That is what my past week and half has consisted of. Sunday, I went
shopping down in Sioux Falls to get some dress clothes for Rookie
Orientation. Yep, dress clothes! Let's just say this: I am not your
typical girly type who dresses up all the time. To give you a mental
picture of my closet, it consists of t-shirts, hoodies, sweats,
shoes, shoes and more shoes. (Wait, let's rephrase that. By "shoes" I
could mean nice black or brown dress shoes… and there is only one
pair of each of those! Instead, I'll say sneakers, sneakers and more
sneakers.) There is however a small (and I really want to emphasize
SMALL) section where I have some "regular" clothes… jeans, khakis,
nice shirts, etc. So our task today was to find some "nice business-
looking attire," according to my mother. The verdict? Mission
accomplished!

It was great to spend time with my mom and dad before I leave. I am
very close to my family, so spending time with them before I leave
means a lot to me.

Well, I need to start packing. I leave for D.C. on Tuesday!

http://www.wnba.com/voices/megan_vogel_blog_.html

Hey Mystics Fans!


Join Nikki Teasley, Alana Beard, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Coco Miller
and the rest of the Washington Mystics team as they join efforts with
the Washington Mystics Foundation to Strike Childhood Obesity!


WHEN: Wednesday, May 16, 2007


WHERE: Lucky Strike Lanes - Gallery Place

701 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC 20001


TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Bowling and Reception


COST: $70 per person (Includes bowling, gift bag and reception)
Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, May 4th.


All proceeds to benefit the Washington Mystics Foundation.


You must register in advance.Space is limited.For more information
and a registration form, please click on the link below or e-mail the
Washington Mystics Foundation at Mysticsfoundation@....



Click here for more information:

http://www.wnba.com/media/mystics/Final_Foundation_Flyer.pdf

WASHINGTON MYSTICS TRYOUTS


WHO: Washington Mystics

WHAT: Mystics team tryouts

WHEN: Tuesday, April 17th 10:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m.

WHERE: Hoop Magic, 14810 Murdock Street, Chantilly, VA 20151

The Washington Mystics will hold tryouts for the Mystics training
camp roster. General Manager Linda Hargrove and Mystics coaches will
be on hand to evaluate those players trying to make the Mystics
training camp roster. Training camp is set to begin on Sunday, April
22nd at Trinity University.

Fans are welcome to watch players run through various drills and
compete in scrimmage games. Those participating in the tryouts will
be by invitation only. Those players in attendance are free agents
and former college players not drafted into the league. Last season,
former Mystic player Rita Williams tried out at the open tryout and
made it to training camp.

"We expect to get a very good turnout for the open tryouts," said
Linda Hargrove. "This is a good opportunity for players to get some
extra time as we evaluate talent and prepare for training camp."

WASHINGTON MYSTICS DRAFT VIEWING PARTY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH 2007

Appearances by Alana Beard & Tamara James


ESPN Zone

555 12th Street NW, Washington, DC20004

12:00 – 2:30 PM


Join the Mystics for the live viewing of the 2007 WNBA Draft and get
an insider's look at the Mystics War Room.Plus, be on hand for a
special announcement and participate in Mystics trivia and contests
where you can win autographed merchandise.


Stay following the draft and hear from President Sheila Johnson,
General Manager Linda Hargrove and Head Coach Richie Adubato as they
discuss the Mystics' picks and provide overall analysis on this
year's draft.



Seating for the event is limited.We suggest that you skip to the
front of the line with ESPN Zone's MVP Online Priority Seating,
available exclusively to ESPN Zone MVP Club Members. To sign up for
the MVP Club, visit mvpclub.espnzone.com. Then, log onto that same
website one to three days in advance of your scheduled visit to make
your priority seating request.



Can't make it to the party?

Be sure to follow the Draft live on ESPN beginning at 1pm.

(The first round of the Draft will be televised on ESPN.

Rounds two and three will be televised on NBA-TV.)


http://www.wnba.com/media/mystics/WASHINGTON_MYSTICS_DRAFT_VIEWING_PAR
TY_(2).pdf

Olympic, World Championship Gold Medalists Featured

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 6, 2007) — With an eye towards
continued adaptability to the changing women's basketball
environment and building upon the success of the USA Basketball
Women's Senior National Team program, USA Basketball today announced
the 21-member 2007-08 USA Women's Senior National Team.

This group of seasoned veterans and rising stars, headlined by three-
time Olympic gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets) and two-
time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith (Detroit Shock), will train
together over the next two years as the U.S. attempts at the 2007
FIBA Americas Championship to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games and
then defend its three consecutive Olympic gold medal winning streak.
It is expected that players selected to compete on USA Senior
National teams in the 2007 and 2008 international competitions will
come from the USA Basketball Senior National Team pool.

In addition to Smith and Swoopes, included on the USA's deep and
talent-stocked roster are: Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Alana
Beard (Washington Mystics), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash
(Detroit Shock), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Jessica Davenport
(Ohio State University), Katie Douglas (Connecticut Sun), Cheryl
Ford (Detroit Shock), Sylvia Fowles (Louisiana State University),
Taj McWilliams-Franklin (Los Angeles Sparks), DeLisha Milton-Jones
(Washington Mystics), Deanna Nolan (Detroit Shock), Courtney Paris
(University of Oklahoma), Candace Parker (University of Tennessee),
Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury), Michelle Snow (Houston Comets),
Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) and
Lindsay Whalen (Connecticut Sun).

The USA's next chance to qualify for the 2008 Olympics will be at
the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, slated for Sept. 25-29 in
Valdivia, Chile. The gold medalist at that tournament will earn a
berth to the Beijing Olympic 12-nation field. In addition to the
USA, teams participating in the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship will
be Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Jamaica and Mexico.
Should the United States not return home from Chile with the gold
medal, there will be one final chance to qualify for the Olympics at
the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated for June 9-
15 at a site to be determined.

The complete USA Women's Senior National Team training plans, which
will include domestic and international training camps and
competition through 2008, will be announced at a later date.

Heading the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team through 2008
is WNBA Seattle Storm head coach and four-time U.S. Olympic Team
member Anne Donovan, who was on the 1980, 1984 and 1988 squads as a
player and was an assistant coach for the 2004 team. She will be
assisted by 2006 WNBA Coach of the Year Mike Thibault of the
Connecticut Sun and collegiate head coaches Gail Goestenkors of Duke
University (N.C.) and Temple University's ( Pa. ) Dawn Staley.

"The parity at the top level of the women's international game is at
an all-time high, and we recognize that our national team program
needs to be adaptable in order to put the U.S. in the best possible
position to re-claim the gold medal in Beijing and beyond," said USA
Basketball President Val Ackerman. "By including a larger number of
players in the program, we hope to create a more competitive
training environment for the team, as well as accelerate the
development of the young players who we will count on to continue
our winning tradition in the future."

"The Committee feels very strongly about this group of players as we
continue to move forward with our USA Senior National Team Program,"
said Committee chair Reneé Brown, WNBA chief of basketball
operations and player relations. "We are not just looking to the
next two years and our goal of reclaiming the gold medal in Beijing,
we also have identified some of the top young candidates who will
take the torch from our veteran leadership, from players like
Sheryl, Katie and Tina, and run with it well into the future. The
Committee feels that this is a very strong mix of players, from the
young up-and-comers to international veterans. If you look back,
that's what USA Basketball has been doing for decades -- the torch
has been passed from Pat Summitt and Anne Donovan to Teresa Edwards
and Katrina McClain. They have lent their leadership to Lisa
(Leslie), Sheryl and Dawn, who are in the process of passing it
along to our next generation of players."

"I think continuity is so important in the development of the USA
Senior National Team," said Donovan. "Although we don't have the
benefits of extensive training as in the past, we are looking to
maximize the time that we are together. By identifying a pool of
players we'll be able to train extensively and evaluate the best fit
for our National Team. The more that our staff and our players are
able to train and play together, the better our USA National Team
will be, come competition time.

"When you look at the make-up of this group, we have a lot of youth.
What a benefit it is for them to be able to train with our veteran
players, to learn from them on the court and off the court."

The USA Senior Team's 21 members own a combined 11 Olympic and eight
World Championship gold medals, as well as numerous medals from
other international competitions as all 21 members have donned a USA
Basketball uniform in the past. The list also includes a pair of USA
Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award winners, including
Augustus (2003) and Taurasi (2006).

All 17 professional players on the roster have been named as a WNBA
All-Star and 14 have earned either All-WNBA first or second team
honors at least once. Bird, Catchings, Smith, Swoopes and Thompson
were named to the WNBA All-Decade Team, while Taurasi was an
honorable mention. Three of the seven WNBA All-Star MVPs are on the
list, including Douglas (2006), Swoopes (2005) and Thompson (2000);
as well as three of the last seven league MVPs in Swoopes (2000,
2002, 2005); five of the last seven WNBA Defensive Players of the
Year in Catchings (2005, 2006) and Swoopes (2000, 2003, 2004); and
three of the last four WNBA Rookies of the Year in Augustus (2006),
Catchings (2002), Ford (2003) and Taurasi (2004).

Each of the four collegiate players were unanimous all-conference
first team selections following the 2006-07 season and have been
mentioned for 2007 National Player of the Year and All-America
honors. Further, Davenport earned her third consecutive Big Ten
Conference Player of the Year award, Paris was named the 2007 Big 12
Conference Player of the Year and Parker collected 2007 Southeastern
Conference Player of the Year honors.

Host China and 2006 FIBA World Championship gold medalist Australia
have earned automatic berths to the 2008 Olympic women's basketball
tournament. Five additional teams will punch their ticket to Beijing
at the 2007 FIBA zone championships as the gold medalists in each of
the FIBA zones (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania) qualify
to compete in Beijing.

Teams finishing in second, third and fourth place at the 2007 FIBA
Americas tournament will have one final chance to earn a spot in
Beijing's 12-nation field at the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying
Tournament. Those three nations along with nine other national teams
from around the globe who did not claim gold at the remaining FIBA
zones, including two from Africa (silver and bronze medalists), two
from Asia (silver and bronze medalists), four from Europe (second
through fourth place finishers) and one from Oceania (silver
medalist), will compete for the final five Olympic slots at the 2008
FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team program has evolved
over the past decade ever since the historic 11-member 1995-96 USA
Senior National Team spent 10 months traveling the globe in
preparation for the 1996 Olympic Games. The program is a proven
success. Since the '95-96 team took to the court in Oct. 1995, USA
senior teams have compiled a 144-9 (.941) exhibition slate, hauled
in three Olympic (1996, 2000, 2004) and two World Championship
(1998, 2002) gold medals, one World Championship bronze (2006), and
claimed an overall Olympics and Worlds record of 50-1 (.980).

In addition to Brown, the USA Basketball Women's Senior National
Team Committee is comprised of athlete representatives Jennifer
Azzi, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Championship
gold medalist, and five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards; representing
the NCAA is University of Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt; and
appointed by the WNBA are New York Liberty vice president and
general manager Carol Blazejowski, Indiana Fever chief operating
officer and general manager Kelly Krauskopf, Minnesota Lynx chief
operating officer Roger Griffith and Los Angeles Sparks general
manager Penny Toler.

2007-08 USA Baskettball Women's Senior National Team Members' Major
International Event History:

Olympic gold medalists: Bird (2004), Cash (2004), Catchings (2004),
Milton-Jones (2000), Smith (2000, 2004), Swoopes (1996, 2000, 2004),
Thompson (2004), Taurasi (2004).

FIBA World Championship gold medalists: Bird (2002), Catchings
(2002), McWilliams-Franklin (1998), Milton-Jones (1998, 2002), Smith
(1998, 2002), Swoopes (2002).

FIBA World Championship bronze medalists: Augustus (2006), Beard
(2006), Bird (2006), Catchings (2006), Ford (2006), Milton-Jones
(2006), Parker (2006), Smith (2006), Snow (2006), Swoopes (2006),
Thompson (2006), Taurasi (2006).

FIBA U21 World Championship gold medalists: Augustus
(2003/tournament MVP), Beard (2003/all-tournament), Pondexter
(2003), Whalen (2003).

FIBA U19 World Championship gold medalists: Catchings (1997), Paris
(2005).

FIBA U19 World Championship bronze medalists: Beard (2001/all-
tournament), Pondexter (2001), Taurasi (2001/all-tournament).

FIBA Americas U20 Championship gold medalists: Beard (2002), Paris
(2006), Pondexter (2002), Whalen (2002).

FIBA Americas U18 Championship gold medalists: Beard (2000), Paris
(2004), Parker (2004), Pondexter (2000), Taurasi (2000).

FIBA Americas U18 Championship silver medalist: Catchings (1996).

Basketball Female Athlete of the Year: Augustus (2003), Taurasi
(2006).

BATON ROUGE (AP) — LSU women's basketball coach Pokey Chatman, who
on Wednesday announced she would step down from her position after
the season had concluded, has since decided not to lead the Tigers
into next week's NCAA Tournament.

"My resignation yesterday has prompted speculation and rumors that
far exceeded my expectations and it is clear that my presence would
be a great distraction during the NCAA Tournament," said Chatman in
a statement from the school. "I believe it is in the best interests
of the team that I step away from my coaching duties immediately. I
want the players and staff to have the best chance to maximize the
opportunities we've earned. I have every confidence in the young
ladies and the remaining coaches that they will have success in the
NCAA Tournament."

LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman said that assistant coach Bob
Starkey will act as the head coach during the NCAA Tournament

On Wednesday, Chatman released a statment that said, "I have
notified the university today that I will step down as head coach of
the women's basketball program in order to allow me to pursue other
career opportunities."

Michael Bonnette, a sports information director at the school,
confirmed the resignation and said it was unexpected. "I was
stunned," Bonnette said.

"We respect the decision that Pokey Chatman has made regarding her
future career opportunities," Athletic Director Skip Bertman said in
a news release. "On behalf of LSU, I thank her for her athletic
accomplishments as a player and as a coach, and for the community
service work she has performed for Baton Rouge and Louisiana."

The Lady Tigers, currently ranked 10th in the nation, are 26-7 this
season after losing to Vanderbilt on Sunday night in the
Southeastern Conference tournament championship game.

Chatman is 90-14 as LSU's head coach. Before that, she was 15-5 as
acting head coach during the latter stages of the 2003-04 season,
when longtime coach Sue Gunter left the team because of lung cancer.
That included a trip to the Final Four in New Orleans, where the
Lady Tigers fell in the semifinals to Tennessee.

Her decision to leave came as a surprise in light of her long ties
to LSU and her never before indicating publicly that she was
dissatisfied with her job.

Chatman, a Louisiana native, has been at LSU as both a player and
coach for nearly 18 years.

Playing guard, she was one of LSU's career assist and steals
leaders. After her playing career ended in 1991, she spent one
season as a student assistant coach and then 12 seasons as associate
coach under Gunter.

LSU won SEC regular-season titles in her first two seasons as a head
coach and made it to the Final Four last season.

In 2005, Chatman received a four-year contract extension that pays
her close to $400,000 a year plus postseason bonuses ranging from
$15,000 for making the NCAA tournament to $70,000 for winning a
national title. The highest-paid coaches in women's college
basketball, Pat Summitt of Tennessee and Geno Auriemma of
Connecticut, both earn more than $1 million per year.

Kim Mulkey, who coached Baylor to the 2005 national championship, is
a Louisiana native who played and served as an assistant coach at
Louisiana Tech. After Baylor won its Big 12 Conference quarterfinal
game in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night against Kansas, Mulkey
didn't want to talk about the possibility of coaching at LSU.

"I just don't even think making a comment about any of the job
openings is appropriate," Mulkey said. "Baylor treats me great. We
are a Top 25 team. I get paid great at Baylor. It's nothing more
than another job that is open, just like the Florida job, just like
the Michigan job, just like the Arkansas job.

"You hear it (speculation). You hear it all the time. Anybody who is
young and has built a program, it goes without saying that any job
opening your name is somehow going to be attached to it. When job
openings come up, there's speculation and things to write about. ...
It's just part of it. It's part of the profession."

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.

Washington Mystics Host Women's Hoops Frenzy on March 14th.

WNBA Commish, Donna Orender, Mystics GM Linda Hargrove & GWU Women's
Basketball Coach Joe McKeown.

Event open to the public, limited seats available.

http://www.wnba.com/media/mystics/Hoops_Frenzy_Flyer_-_Mystics.pdf

Mystics Present Healthy Living, Girl! Essay Contest on Team Website
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Mystics, along with Girls Inc.,
present the Healthy Living, Girl! Essay Contest. The essay contest is
open to girls in sixth, seventh and eighth grades in Washington, D.C.
public and charter schools. Girls are to write about how they are
strong, smart, bold and healthy in their life, style and choices. All
entries should be two to five pages. The deadline for submission is
Friday, March 30th.

The first place prize is a $100 Certificate of Deposit and the second
and third place winners will also receive a prize. First, second and
third place winners will be selected from each grade. All girls who
enter will attend a celebration reception. For more information,
click here.

Girls Incorporated is a national nonprofit youth organization
dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls
Inc. has provided educational programs to girls, particularly those
in high-risk, underserved areas. Girls Inc has designed innovative
programs to help girls confront subtle societal messages about their
value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful,
independent, and fulfilling lives.

  The Mystics will tip off its tenth season on Saturday May 19th at
6:00 p.m. when the team hosts conference rival, Connecticut Sun.
Season tickets and partial plans for the 2007 Mystics season are
currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mystics Sales
Office at 1-877-DC-HOOP1.


http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/Washington_Mystics_To_Hold_An_-
213996-230.html

http://www.wnba.com/media/mystics/GirlsIncFlyer2.pdf

Backcourt and Timeout Rules Improved
Playoff Rosters Expanded

NEW YORK, January 30, 2007 – The Women's National Basketball
Association has approved several rule changes for the 2007 season.
The changes include reducing the 10-second backcourt rule to eight
seconds, permitting head coaches (in addition to players) to call
timeouts and designating 11 active and up to two inactive players on
playoff rosters. The modifications, which were recommended by the
WNBA Competition Committee, were approved by the WNBA Board of
Governors earlier today.

"The backcourt rule change coincides with some positive
modifications we made to our game last season," said WNBA Chief of
Basketball Operations and Player Relations Renee Brown. "The
adjustment to an eight-second backcourt rule continues the trend of
speeding up the game and increasing the number of possessions. This
leads to higher scoring games, which we saw last year when we
implemented the 24-second shot clock and the four-quarter format.
Teams across the league posted scoring increases, and fans enjoyed
the up-tempo style of the game."

The highlights of the rule change for 2007 are as follows:

- The backcourt rule will require offensive teams to bring the ball
across the midcourt line within eight seconds rather than 10 seconds.

- The timeout rule will require officials to grant requests for a
timeout (full or twenty-second) by a player in the game or the head
coach. Previously, only players in the game were allowed to call
timeouts.

- Teams will now designate 11 active players and up to two inactive
players on playoff rosters, with the ability to activate any
inactive players on a game-by-game basis. This is the same process
as is employed during the regular season.

- Two free throw attempts and possession of the ball shall be
awarded on the sideline nearest the spot where play was interrupted
if an offensive player, or a teammate, is fouled while having a
clear-path-to-the-basket. In previous seasons, the penalty for clear-
path-to-the-basket fouls was one free throw and possession of the
ball.

About the WNBA
The WNBA will tip off the 2007 season on May 19th as the defending
champion Detroit Shock hosts the Sacramento Monarchs in a rematch of
last year's WNBA Finals. The WNBA All-Star Game will be played at
Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. on July 15 at 3:30 p.m.

In 2006, the WNBA concluded its historic tenth season with an action-
packed WNBA Playoffs. The 2006 WNBA Finals presented by Vonage
capped a playoff run in which the WNBA saw significant increases in
attendance and viewership. The Finals, which aired live on ESPN2,
saw the Detroit Shock top the Sacramento Monarchs in the first WNBA
Finals match up ever to go to a fifth and deciding game.

Fans Given Priority Access to Tickets via Pre-Sale Starting Today -

NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2007 - WNBA All-Star 2007 will take place at
Verizon Center in Washington, DC this summer, it was announced today
by league President Donna Orender. The game will be held on Sunday,
July 15 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be nationally televised on ABC. It
marks the second time that the WNBA All-Star Game will be played in
the nation's capital. Washington also hosted the 2002 All-Star
festivities.

"The WNBA All-Star Game is a festive celebration that will feature
world-class athletes, family-oriented activities and entertainment
as well as community projects, all of which will showcase the WNBA's
connection to our fans and the community," said Orender.

"Bringing the WNBA All-Star Game to Washington is a reward for our
fans and testament to what a great market this is for women's
basketball," said Sheila Johnson, President and Managing Partner of
the Washington Mystics. "We look forward to hosting the greatest
players in the world, and this is a fitting occasion for the Mystics
as we celebrate 10 years in Washington!"

Premium tickets and those at all price points will be available to
the general public in a pre-sale from now until Sunday, January 21
at 10 p.m. ET. In addition, Mystics season ticket holders as well as
season ticket holders from all other 12 WNBA teams will receive
access to priority tickets during this time period. Tickets can be
purchased through WNBA.com, via Ticketmaster.com, at select Macy*s
Department Stores in the Washington, D.C. area, or by calling
Ticketmaster at 1-202-397-SEAT. Tickets are also available for
purchase at Verizon Center's Box Office.

On game day, select players will again compete against each other in
the Dribble, Dish & Swish Skills Challenge as well as the Three-
Point Shoot Out, both of which are sponsored by adidas and included
in the price of admission to the All-Star Game.

WNBA players will be extremely visible around town during All-Star
Weekend, participating in community outreach initiatives that will
leave lasting and positive impressions in the Washington, D.C. area.
Several projects will take place, including the Nike/WNBA Court
Refurbishment and the opening of a Reading and Learning Center
through the WNBA Cares Legacy Event in conjunction with Toyota.

Additionally, the second annual All-Star Salute: Celebrating
Inspiration Luncheon will honor women who inspire, motivate and help
ignite the dreams and aspirations of women in all fields of
endeavor. The event will be highlighted by the presentation of the
WNBA Inspiration Award which will be given to an individual or group
who on a daily basis demonstrates the ability to inspire others
through their commitment, passion and dedication to work, family and
community.

By hosting the 2007 All-Star Game, the eighth in WNBA history,
Washington will join New York as the only cities to stage multiple
WNBA All-Star games. In addition to hosting the league's first All-
Star event on July 14, 1999, New York's Madison Square Garden was
the site of the All-Star Game in 2003 and again last year during the
league's 10th anniversary season. Washington, D.C. also hosted the
game in 2002. The Western Conference dominated play with a perfect 6-
0 record before MVP Katie Douglas led the Eastern Conference to a 98-
82 victory in last year's WNBA All-Star Game.

Date Location W L
July 14, 1999 Madison Square Garden (New York) West 79 East 61
July 17, 2000 America West Arena (Phoenix) West 73  East 61
July 16, 2001 TD Waterhouse Centre (Orlando) West 80 East 72
July 15, 2002 MCI Center (Washington)  West 81 East 76
July 12, 2003 Madison Square Garden (New York) West 84 East 75
July 9, 2005 Mohegan Sun Arena (Connecticut)  West 122 East 99
July 12, 2006 Madison Square Garden (New York) East 98 West 82

* no game held in 2004 due to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
About the WNBA
In 2006, the WNBA concluded its historic tenth season with an action-
packed WNBA Finals. The 2006 WNBA Finals presented by Vonage capped
a playoff run in which the WNBA saw significant increases in
attendance and viewership. The Finals, which aired live on ESPN2,
saw the Detroit Shock top the Sacramento Monarchs in the first WNBA
Finals match up ever to go to a fifth and deciding game.

During Q & A at the Mystics Christmas Reception, Niki Teasley spoke of
her sister Tiara dealing with a health issue.  Niki stated being with
her sister was one of the reasons for returning to the USA from play in
Russia.   Anyone who would like to extend a hand, please do.

tiarateasley.com

1VKind

...guess I am getting obsessed with size.  I was getting to like  the
idea of Delisha at #3 and Sanford at #4.  I take it you see Delisha as
a natural #4.  Why not at #3, footspeed/agility ?

as to driving on Dydek...  I was hoping they would take it to her more
in the second game...but it seemed (on tv at least) that they were
calling Margo's blocks as clean.


--- In themysticsfansarethebest@yahoogroups.com, "onevkind"
<sixfeet2in@...> wrote:
>
> My Answers:
>
> #1  Reliable Small Forward (Crystal if on the team should only be
> used off the bench), which will allow DeLisha to play the Power
> Forward Position.  A true starting Center (Janel Burse). Keep an eye
> on the Mystics 3rd Rd Pick Mariam Sy next season.
>
> The Sun are the only WNBA team who has a 7'2 Center.  There is 2 ways
> to defeat a tall center, one is run her to death on defense and the
> second is to continue to drive on her to force foul trouble.
>

Question 1
Connecticut owns us. What do we have to do to get past the Sun?
I think the first step was getting bigger guards- (though Nikki and AB
had problems in the series)



Teasley is definitely the key.  She's got to have a bit more confidence and
realize that she is NIKKI TEASLEY. seriously.  She's one of the best, if not
the best, pure guards in the league and she can shoot when she has the
drive.  Would love to see her attack more like she did in the first quarter.



But also think the big girls are the key.  Love Melvin, but neither she nor
Sanford could take CT on the inside.



Finally, they just need to stick together.  This was the first year with
that line up and it only looks up from here.


Question 2
I am wondering if we should have kept Kayla or Aiesha instead of
James? Admittedly I did not see a lot of James this year- but size
has always been a problem for us and Zane is still developing.



But James has hops.. and hustle. and an outside shot.  I think it was a good
decision, besides.. it was my understanding that it was between Kayla, Smith
and Sanford.. and after Sanford's amazing improvement, that decision was
clearly justified.


Question 3
Also, was Byears still hurt? Thought she would have gotten more
playing time-especially with that 2nd bruising game against the Sun.



Tell me about it.  Not sure what the decision was there.  She has to still
be hurt.  It was silly to not put her in.. even if just to take some of the
fouls away from Milton or Melvin.


Question 4
I think I would have tried to make more use of Laurie K. Anyone
surmise why Ritchie did not go to her more?



She can't play defense, at all, and with Douglas and Whalen you can't afford
to have a guard at there who cannot defend.  Even if she can shoot from my
house and make it.



Just my two cents.  Great season.  Can't wait for next year!



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My Answers:

#1  Reliable Small Forward (Crystal if on the team should only be
used off the bench), which will allow DeLisha to play the Power
Forward Position.  A true starting Center (Janel Burse). Keep an eye
on the Mystics 3rd Rd Pick Mariam Sy next season.

The Sun are the only WNBA team who has a 7'2 Center.  There is 2 ways
to defeat a tall center, one is run her to death on defense and the
second is to continue to drive on her to force foul trouble.

#2  Tamara James was the 8th pick in the draft, teams normally don't
cut their 1st round pick in year one.  Kaayla Chones and Aiyesha
Smith aren't in the league, the other WNBA teams must've agreed with
the Mystics releasing them.

#3  I suspect Byears was still injured and the Mystics put her on the
playoff roster, hoping she could help if the Mystics made the next
round.  Also, Richie Adubato stated he was going to use a 8 player
rotation.

#4  I understand why Laurie isn't used a lot in the games, she isn't
the quickest player which leads to additional strand on the teams'
defense.  I do agree Richie Adubato should've had Laurie (Mystics
best 3 Point Shooter) on the court during the final 6 seconds of the
game, down by 3 points.

1VKind



--- In themysticsfansarethebest@yahoogroups.com, "flash57a"
<flash57@...> wrote:
>
> I thought I would ask for some opinions on the season.
>
> The West had the East's number for awhile.
> The Comets had the Sparks number for awhile.
> The Sparks had the Monarchs number for awhile.
>
> Question 1
> Connecticut owns us.  What do we have to do to get past the Sun?
> I think the first step was getting bigger guards- (though Nikki and
AB
> had problems in the series)
> Question 2
> I am wondering if we should have kept Kayla or Aiesha instead of
> James?  Admittedly I did not see a lot of James this year- but size
> has always been a problem for us and Zane is still developing.
> Question 3
> Also, was Byears still hurt?  Thought she would have gotten more
> playing time-especially with that 2nd bruising game against the
Sun.
> Question 4
> I think I would have tried to make more use of Laurie K.  Anyone
> surmise why Ritchie did not go to her more?
>

I thought I would ask for some opinions on the season.

The West had the East's number for awhile.
The Comets had the Sparks number for awhile.
The Sparks had the Monarchs number for awhile.

Question 1
Connecticut owns us.  What do we have to do to get past the Sun?
I think the first step was getting bigger guards- (though Nikki and AB
had problems in the series)
Question 2
I am wondering if we should have kept Kayla or Aiesha instead of
James?  Admittedly I did not see a lot of James this year- but size
has always been a problem for us and Zane is still developing.
Question 3
Also, was Byears still hurt?  Thought she would have gotten more
playing time-especially with that 2nd bruising game against the Sun.
Question 4
I think I would have tried to make more use of Laurie K.  Anyone
surmise why Ritchie did not go to her more?

On Friday, August 18, at 11 a.m. ET, Washington Post staff writer Jon
Gallo takes your questions and comments as the Washington Mystics begin
their WNBA playoff run.

Submit your questions and comments before or during the discussion.

http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-
srv/zforum/content/submit_sports17.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/discussion/2006/08/11/DI2006081100300.html

Fax my trip order form in this morning for the Mystics Fans Playoff
Trip to Mohegan Sun Arena (8/20).  Procrastinators (LOL) you only have
a few hours left today (8/14)until seats are no longer guaranteed for
the train ride and ticket to the game.

http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/Playoff_Trip_2006.html

1VKind

Monday August 14th to have a seat guarantee for the Mystics Fans Trip
To Connecticut.

http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/Playoff_Trip_2006.html

I'm hearing from other Mystics Fans, seating will be in the Section
18 area for the game at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Here is a seating map of Mohegan Sun Arena.

http://www.mohegansun.com/entertainment/arena_seating_popup.jsp

http://www.mohegansun.com/entertainment/ctsun_360view_popup.jsp

1VKind

--- In themysticsfansarethebest@yahoogroups.com, "onevkind"
<sixfeet2in@...> wrote:
>
> Actually the $220 for the transportation (train & bus) and ticket
to
> the game isn't a bad deal. Amtrak alone cost $212 or so round trip.
>
> The bus is to arrive at the Mohegan Sun Arena from the train
station
> at 12 noon, which will give people at least an hour or better to
move
> about the Casino before the game starts at 1:30 PM
>
> http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak
>
> 1VKind
>
>
> --- In themysticsfansarethebest@yahoogroups.com, "onevkind"
> <sixfeet2in@> wrote:
> >
> > Anyone going on the trip to Conneticut Sunday August 20th to see
> the
> > Mystics/Sun Playoff Game.
> >
> > 1VKind
> >
> >
> > WASHINGTON MYSTICS FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF TRIP
> > BRING THE MYSTICS HOME COURT ADVANTAGE TO CONNETICUT FOR THE
FIRST
> > ROUND OF THE WNBA PLAYOFFS!!!
> > COST:                            $220.00 (Includes train and bus
> > transportation and a ticket to the game)
> > DATE:                            Sunday, August 20th
> > GAME TIME:                 1:30 PM
> > LOCATION:                  Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
> > TRANSPORTATION:     Amtrak Regional Rail Line to/from New London,
CT
> >              Bus transportation from New London Station to
Mohegan
> Sun
> >
> >
> > The train departs Washington's Union Station at 5:23 A.M. and
will
> > arrive in New London, CT at 11:23 A.M. The bus will leave for
> Mohegan
> > Sun at 11:30 A.M. and arrive at the arena at Noon.
> >
> >
> > The bus will depart from Mohegan Sun at 4:00 P.M. and arrives at
> the
> > train station at 4:30 P.M. The train leaves New London, CT at
4:50
> > P.M. and will arrive at Union Station at 11:20 P.M.
> >
> >
> >
> > The team has reserved an entire train car for the trip to
> > Connecticut. Seat locations for the return trip may be spread
> > throughout the train.
> >
> > PURCHASE:  Please complete and return the following information
via
> > fax or e-mail by Friday, August 11th to guarantee your space. If
> you
> > have any questions please contact Mystics Guest Services at
> > 202.266.2365 or via e-mail at MysticsGS@
> >
> >
> > -FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PACKAGE TRIP ORDER FORM-
> >
> >
> >
> > Name: Telephone:
> > Address:
> > City: State/Zip: E-mail:
> > Master Visa Amex Discover
> > Card # Expiration Date:
> > Signature:   Date:
> >
> >
> > Order forms can be faxed to: 202.266.2220
> >
>

Actually the $220 for the transportation (train & bus) and ticket to
the game isn't a bad deal. Amtrak alone cost $212 or so round trip.

The bus is to arrive at the Mohegan Sun Arena from the train station
at 12 noon, which will give people at least an hour or better to move
about the Casino before the game starts at 1:30 PM

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak

1VKind


--- In themysticsfansarethebest@yahoogroups.com, "onevkind"
<sixfeet2in@...> wrote:
>
> Anyone going on the trip to Conneticut Sunday August 20th to see
the
> Mystics/Sun Playoff Game.
>
> 1VKind
>
>
> WASHINGTON MYSTICS FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF TRIP
> BRING THE MYSTICS HOME COURT ADVANTAGE TO CONNETICUT FOR THE FIRST
> ROUND OF THE WNBA PLAYOFFS!!!
> COST:                            $220.00 (Includes train and bus
> transportation and a ticket to the game)
> DATE:                            Sunday, August 20th
> GAME TIME:                 1:30 PM
> LOCATION:                  Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
> TRANSPORTATION:     Amtrak Regional Rail Line to/from New London, CT
>              Bus transportation from New London Station to Mohegan
Sun
>
>
> The train departs Washington's Union Station at 5:23 A.M. and will
> arrive in New London, CT at 11:23 A.M. The bus will leave for
Mohegan
> Sun at 11:30 A.M. and arrive at the arena at Noon.
>
>
> The bus will depart from Mohegan Sun at 4:00 P.M. and arrives at
the
> train station at 4:30 P.M. The train leaves New London, CT at 4:50
> P.M. and will arrive at Union Station at 11:20 P.M.
>
>
>
> The team has reserved an entire train car for the trip to
> Connecticut. Seat locations for the return trip may be spread
> throughout the train.
>
> PURCHASE:  Please complete and return the following information via
> fax or e-mail by Friday, August 11th to guarantee your space. If
you
> have any questions please contact Mystics Guest Services at
> 202.266.2365 or via e-mail at MysticsGS@...
>
>
> -FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PACKAGE TRIP ORDER FORM-
>
>
>
> Name: Telephone:
> Address:
> City: State/Zip: E-mail:
> Master Visa Amex Discover
> Card # Expiration Date:
> Signature:   Date:
>
>
> Order forms can be faxed to: 202.266.2220
>

Anyone going on the trip to Conneticut Sunday August 20th to see the
Mystics/Sun Playoff Game.

1VKind


WASHINGTON MYSTICS FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF TRIP
BRING THE MYSTICS HOME COURT ADVANTAGE TO CONNETICUT FOR THE FIRST
ROUND OF THE WNBA PLAYOFFS!!!
COST:                            $220.00 (Includes train and bus
transportation and a ticket to the game)
DATE:                            Sunday, August 20th
GAME TIME:                 1:30 PM
LOCATION:                  Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
TRANSPORTATION:     Amtrak Regional Rail Line to/from New London, CT
              Bus transportation from New London Station to Mohegan Sun


The train departs Washington's Union Station at 5:23 A.M. and will
arrive in New London, CT at 11:23 A.M. The bus will leave for Mohegan
Sun at 11:30 A.M. and arrive at the arena at Noon.


The bus will depart from Mohegan Sun at 4:00 P.M. and arrives at the
train station at 4:30 P.M. The train leaves New London, CT at 4:50
P.M. and will arrive at Union Station at 11:20 P.M.



The team has reserved an entire train car for the trip to
Connecticut. Seat locations for the return trip may be spread
throughout the train.

PURCHASE:  Please complete and return the following information via
fax or e-mail by Friday, August 11th to guarantee your space. If you
have any questions please contact Mystics Guest Services at
202.266.2365 or via e-mail at MysticsGS@....


-FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF PACKAGE TRIP ORDER FORM-



Name: Telephone:
Address:
City: State/Zip: E-mail:
Master Visa Amex Discover
Card # Expiration Date:
Signature:   Date:


Order forms can be faxed to: 202.266.2220

Congratulations to the D.C. Divas for having a tremendous season.  A
job well done Divas.  Hopefully the Washington Mystics can duplicate
the effort.

1VKind

--- In themysticsfansarethebest@yahoogroups.com, "J.D.M."
<borikua1963@...> wrote:
>
> The ponytails peeking from underneath the players' football helmets
> and bouncing off their shoulder pads may have indicated that the
> game was not the Super Bowl.
>
> The lack of media attention, or perhaps the estimated 620 fans in
> attendance at North Allegheny for the National Women's Football
> Association championship Saturday night, may have been an
indication
> as well.
>
> But to the D.C. Divas, who defeated the Oklahoma City Lightning, 28-
> 7, in the NWFA championship, the Super Bowl of women's football
> carries just as much relevance.
>
> "This is amazing; I can't imagine a better group of people," said
> Divas running back Rachelle Pecovsky, who earned the game
> ball. "It's the end of a mission. We were on a mission all year.
> It's nice to have a goal and be able to accomplish it."
>
> Pittsburgh was chosen to host the event because the Pittsburgh
> Passion drew the most fans among the 36-team league during the 2005
> season. The Passion averaged crowds between 3,500 and 4,500 per
home
> game this year and fell just short of the playoffs in the team's
> fourth season.
>
> The Divas (9-0) made their first appearance in the championship
> game, while the Lightning (8-1) made their second trip after
> suffering a 52-0 loss to Detroit in its debut. Heading into the
> season finale, the Divas looked to be the early favorite after
> outscoring their opponents, 450-13.
>
> Pecovsky proved to be the difference in the game when she finished
> as the leading rusher with 186 yards and three touchdowns off 23
> carries. Pecovsky made a statement just 25 seconds into the game
> when she found a hole and ran 55 yards to the end zone for the
> Divas' first touchdown.
>
> "We felt pretty good coming into the game," Divas quarterback
> Allyson Hamlin said. "We knew if we didn't have any turnovers and
> just put together our offense, we'd play well."
>
> To most of the women, the sport is considered their second job,
> though they do not receive a salary. The NWFA title is enough of a
> reward, though, for players who dedicate their time and hard work
> all the while becoming part of a football family.
>
> "You know, you put aside family, friends and your job," Hamlin
> said. "It really is the ultimate sacrifice, but it's worth it."
>
> The Divas and the Lightning battled for 60 minutes, not showing
many
> signs that their game is different than that of the men. There were
> hard-hitting, stiff-arming, trash-talking, crowd-pleasing and chest-
> bumping players who take their game seriously.
>
> "Of all of the sports I played, this is the greatest game," Hamlin
> said. "You need 11 people to come together and click in this game,
> and we did."
>

The ponytails peeking from underneath the players' football helmets
and bouncing off their shoulder pads may have indicated that the
game was not the Super Bowl.

The lack of media attention, or perhaps the estimated 620 fans in
attendance at North Allegheny for the National Women's Football
Association championship Saturday night, may have been an indication
as well.

But to the D.C. Divas, who defeated the Oklahoma City Lightning, 28-
7, in the NWFA championship, the Super Bowl of women's football
carries just as much relevance.

"This is amazing; I can't imagine a better group of people," said
Divas running back Rachelle Pecovsky, who earned the game
ball. "It's the end of a mission. We were on a mission all year.
It's nice to have a goal and be able to accomplish it."

Pittsburgh was chosen to host the event because the Pittsburgh
Passion drew the most fans among the 36-team league during the 2005
season. The Passion averaged crowds between 3,500 and 4,500 per home
game this year and fell just short of the playoffs in the team's
fourth season.

The Divas (9-0) made their first appearance in the championship
game, while the Lightning (8-1) made their second trip after
suffering a 52-0 loss to Detroit in its debut. Heading into the
season finale, the Divas looked to be the early favorite after
outscoring their opponents, 450-13.

Pecovsky proved to be the difference in the game when she finished
as the leading rusher with 186 yards and three touchdowns off 23
carries. Pecovsky made a statement just 25 seconds into the game
when she found a hole and ran 55 yards to the end zone for the
Divas' first touchdown.

"We felt pretty good coming into the game," Divas quarterback
Allyson Hamlin said. "We knew if we didn't have any turnovers and
just put together our offense, we'd play well."

To most of the women, the sport is considered their second job,
though they do not receive a salary. The NWFA title is enough of a
reward, though, for players who dedicate their time and hard work
all the while becoming part of a football family.

"You know, you put aside family, friends and your job," Hamlin
said. "It really is the ultimate sacrifice, but it's worth it."

The Divas and the Lightning battled for 60 minutes, not showing many
signs that their game is different than that of the men. There were
hard-hitting, stiff-arming, trash-talking, crowd-pleasing and chest-
bumping players who take their game seriously.

"Of all of the sports I played, this is the greatest game," Hamlin
said. "You need 11 people to come together and click in this game,
and we did."

Mystics forward Latasha Byears was scratched before the game because of
foot tendinitis. She is listed as day-to-day.

http://washtimes.com/sports/20060720-123737-5093r_page2.htm

1VKind

Ann Strother sat in front of her locker with her characteristic,
carefree smile despite the fact that she was wearing dress slacks
and a blouse while her Phoenix Mercury teammates wore their uniforms.

Strother has played in only seven of the Mercury's 20 games so far
this season, has not played at all since June 13 and played a total
of only 13 minutes since May 25.

Certainly she must have an understanding with Coach Paul Westhead
about what she needs to do to play more? He did, after all, trade
two draft picks to get her coming out of UConn.

"Um... Um... I think it is just... I don't know," Strother said. "I
honestly don't know."

Well, certainly Westhead thought about dressing her for her return
to Connecticut, hoping to inspire her, reward her for hard work in
practice or spark some confidence.


"Not really," Westhead said. "She's had a foot, heal problem in the
last week, 10 days that she's been recuperating from anyway. So
there's no point in bringing that out and putting her out there just
to kind of showcase her."

Strother wanted to play, felt healthy enough to play, but she just
smiles through it all hoping that diligence in practice will
ultimately get her back into a game.

It doesn't help that Westhead has moved Diana Taurasi to the wing
opposite Cappie Pondexter so now Strother competes for playing time
with two of the league's top three scorers, each of whom is
averaging 33 minutes per game.

"Playing behind Dee and Cappie and the way they have been playing,
it is not like that is a slap in the face," Strother said. "Just the
whole transition from college to the pros is huge. It is definitely
something I have to try to figure out and get used to."

Strother is used to going into a situation and playing significant
quality minutes immediately. She played a significant role in
helping UConn win national championships her first two years of
college and averaged more than 30 minutes per game throughout her
career at the premier college program in the country.

As such, she's frustrated now, but she manages to keep an upbeat
outlook knowing she gets to play basketball for a living. She said
family and friends buoy her spirits, and she focuses on improving
her ability to create for herself, her ballhandling, her rebounding
and her defense.

Strother said she knows she belongs in the WNBA, and she believes
Phoenix could be a very good team for her given her offensive skills
and the opportunity to play with Taurasi again.

"It has definitely been tough, but it is not like I felt like I
couldn't come in here and do something," Strother said. "I think the
only way you can ever accomplish anything is to have a positive
attitude and look at things in a positive light. There are times
everyone goes through that are tough."

http://wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=50749

A Matter Of Value Instead Of Profit
Despite Losses, WNBA Seen as Key To Sport's Growth

By Thomas Heath
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 12, 2006; Page E01

As the WNBA prepares to play its All-Star Game tonight, the biggest
accomplishment the 10-year-old league can celebrate is that it's
still around -- thanks largely to its financial angel and chief
advocate, the NBA.

Average WNBA attendance is down from the league's first season in
1997, television ratings are sluggish and most of its 14 teams still
lose money, requiring annual infusions of $12 million or so from the
NBA.


While NBA Commissioner David Stern says the league is on track to
turn a small profit next year, he also emphasizes that the WNBA's
value as an ambassador that draws new fans -- especially women -- to
the sport is worth the financial losses it has incurred over its
first decade.

"We have a good strategic reason to support the WNBA, which is the
growth of viewership and fans for basketball," Stern said.

Stern points to the recent NBA playoffs, which had a double-digit
increase in the number of women ages 18 to 34 who watched on
television compared with last year.

And Stern lists other reasons for the WNBA to exist: "There's
compelling logic . . . to have 20 dates [in an NBA arena] in the
summertime, to have additional programming for your regional sports
network and to have goodwill ambassadors in the community promoting
the sport of basketball among boys and girls and fans of all ages."

Sports industry experts said the league likely will always be an
adjunct to the NBA, and although recent television ratings are
abysmal, its potential warrants modest expectations.

"They simply cannot attract the eyeballs to watch the games on
television," said Marc S. Ganis, president of SportsCorp Ltd., a
Chicago-based sports marketing firm.

The league's 13 games on ESPN2 last summer averaged an anemic 0.26
rating. While its games on national network ABC were higher at 0.7,
the WNBA has a long way to go as a credible television draw. The
league is hoping a spike in its 2005 playoffs augers well for this
season and the potential for bigger television contracts in the
future.

The WNBA's television ratings are higher than the National Hockey
League's cable ratings and Major League Soccer's TV audience. WNBA
games in 2005 had broad coverage if not audiences, airing throughout
the world in 31 languages with 68 TV partners.

Professional sports teams cannot thrive without hefty television
contracts that bring big sponsors and national buzz. Ticket sales and
local sponsorship can help cover the team's expenses, but the path to
real profitability lies in the multimillion-dollar television rights
deals, which the WNBA does not enjoy.

"If you think this is going to be the NBA or get men's college
basketball ratings or baseball ratings, that's not going to happen,"
said Len DeLuca, senior vice president for programming and
acquisitions at ESPN, which along with parent ABC carries some WNBA
games. "But it's a good niche and it has to be done at a realistic
scale."

The league began as eight teams and grew to 16 before three
franchises folded, two relocated and another was added this season.
In October 2002, the NBA changed the business model from a centrally
operated league to individual franchises owned and operated by NBA
owners. Under the new model, WNBA teams could be sold to non-NBA
owners and moved to non-NBA cities.

Ganis said having a non-NBA owner might be preferable to keeping the
teams in the hands of NBA teams. He said NBA owners may choose to
devote fewer resources to the WNBA team if their profits on the NBA
team get squeezed, especially if the new collective bargaining
agreement between players and owners reduces owner profits.



"If you are losing a couple of million on a WNBA team when you are
making 6 or 7 million [on an NBA team], you could live with that,"
Ganis said. "But if you're right around break-even with your NBA
team, you feel the WNBA loss more."

Stern said he is aware that the owner of an NBA team worth $350
million is going to tilt his time and resources toward his NBA
franchise rather than the WNBA franchise worth $10 million. The 11
WNBA teams still in the hands of NBA owners may get more attention
and have a better shot at prosperity if other businesspeople in those
communities step in and buy the teams.

Take the Washington Mystics, a team that offers a microcosm of the
challenges WNBA teams face and the solutions that may exist. Sheila
Johnson, a co-founder of Washington-based Black Entertainment
Television, bought the Mystics last year for $10 million from local
sports entrepreneur Abe Pollin, owner of Verizon Center and the NBA
Wizards, and folded her interest in the team into Lincoln Holdings.

Johnson holds titles of president, managing partner and governor for
the Mystics and is a partner in Lincoln, which is the Ted Leonsis-led
holding company for the NHL's Washington Capitals and the Mystics and
has a minority interest in Pollin's Washington Sports and
Entertainment.

Johnson, who is one of three WNBA team owners who do not also own an
NBA franchise, said she thinks the league has a better chance at
success with the franchises owned by individuals rather than run by
the league. In addition to the Mystics, the other two WNBA teams that
are not owned by an NBA team are the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun.

"It is just like running a company," Johnson said. "You've got to put
together a business plan to make this work. I really believe the WNBA
can grow and get financially stronger if we have that kind of
ownership. The NBA owner who takes his business model and moves it to
the WNBA model and puts that same energy into it, it can work."

Johnson is moving quickly to erase her team's annual loss of between
$300,000 and $400,000 and said she hopes to make the franchise
profitable in three years. She has recruited sponsors such as
SunTrust Bank and Turner Construction, increasing the team's direct
sponsorship revenues from around $15,000 a year to around $750,000.

There's also the prospect of more trickle-down revenue from the
WNBA's national sponsors, such as Toyota, T-Mobile and Ocean Spray.

Announced attendance for the team's games, which has dropped from an
average of nearly 16,000 per game in 1998 and 10,000 last year to
6,933 heading into this year's All-Star Game, also is a source of
concern. Johnson has season ticket holders hosting events in their
homes to recruit prospective ticket buyers. She entertains potential
ticket buyers at Verizon Center, at restaurants and anywhere else she
can sell tickets.

"It's very long term and it can't be done in a season," Johnson said,
adding "we have to increase attendance into that arena."

Stern seems tired of answering the WNBA naysayers and said the
league's long-term prospects are healthy. He hired Donna Orender,
former senior vice president of the PGA Tour, as the new WNBA
president last year. Orender did not return calls seeking comment.

"Our mission is to promote and grow the sport of basketball," Stern
said. "The WNBA is precisely within the strategic bull's-eye of
whatever we do."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2006/07/11/AR2006071100988.html

http://www.wnba.com/allstar2006/startinglineup_060711.html