RebKell's Junkie Boards

[Genero36]

[hyperetic]

I predict 24/7 Wall Street will go out of business before the WNBA will.

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https://www.facebook.com/tonyboydphotography

[ddubdawg]

Well at least we made it to opening day before the first chicken little call for the sky to fall in!!! I guess that's progress. 24/7 Wall Street needs to head back to their coop.

[Genero36]

I get the feeling that 24/7 Wall Street is counting on Adam Silver to ditch the league.

[ddubdawg]

We need to start e-mailing Mr. Silver now to not weigh in on this matter. He has been on a rather hot streak.

[justintyme]

If I had a dollar for every one of these doomsday "reports" that came out, I'd own my own WNBA franchise.

Yet, here it is, still kicking...with a rather lucrative ESPN contract to boot.

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↑↑↓↓�→�→BA

[Queenie]

wtf no and fuck these guys.

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Ardent believer in the separation of church and stadium.

[Bretter]

Lord, with the way people are talking about him, it's like some are expecting Adam Silver to say, "we don't need this trashy women's league! DELETE." I doubt it's going to register much at all on his central or peripheral vision.

But LOL, JCPenney for real tho.

[StevenHW]

24/7 Wall Street (the website) mentions that Stern's stepping down as the NBA Commissioner is the main reason why they believe the WNBA will fold. While it is true that Stern is the biggest reason why the WNBA was created in the first place, some of posts here on RebKell indicate that his successor --- can't remember his name right now --- is just as supportive of the WNBA as Stern is.

Time will tell if that holds true.

This is why I'm very excited about this (2013) season, because whatever happens this year, will have an impact on the league's future.

[ddubdawg]

If my reply above seemed a little, um, off... this is why. I did not read the article provided as I am so tired of the random rumors usually being floated by those that have no identification or knowledge of the league. So when Genero36 mentioned Adam Silver, I immediately thought of the pollster, but of course his name is Nate Silver. Th my crack about asking him to not wegh in on the issue. Oops!

[FS02]

The only way I see it happening is if attendance were to drop again, and with all the hype that doesn't seem likely. Hopefully, in the future the lost year of 2012 will be just looked at as a curious anomaly.

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@dtmears2

[BobScoutingReport]

As some of you know, I have been very pesimistic about WNBA survival for years. And last year was the pits for the league in level of play and fan interest.

However, ESPN has decided to infuse $12 million per year into the league. Also, 7 of 12 teams now have uniform sponsors. As to Stern, yes he is a big WNBA booster but so is Silver so that's not going to change. The anti-WNBA NBA owners have gotten out of the WNBA.

The WNBA is in a lot better shape today than at the start of the 2012 season. I would be shocked to see the league fold any time soon. Yes, it is possible franchises could be re-located, particularly to the SF Bay area. Folding is not likely thanks to increased corporate sponsorship (including ESPN).

[toad455]

I guess this is the typical, annual "the WNBA won't last another 3-5 years" article.

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LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

Twitter: @TBRBWAY

[PamelaT]

I guess if one guy on one website anywhere on the internet thinks it's going to happen, it must be true and every other website must do an article on it. I mean wtf.......

[hyperetic]

Guess someone will say it every year in hopes of being right one year.

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https://www.facebook.com/tonyboydphotography

[SueFavor]

[hangtyme24]

While I do believe the WNBA is here to stay, I can see JC Penny and a few of those other companies being gone soon. Lol

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HERE 2 STAY!

[tfan]

[BobScoutingReport]

I just looked at the LA & NY uniforms and the prior sponsor names appear to be gone. Thus I stand corrected.

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

Interested to see crowds for games when Phoenix is on the road to see if Griner generates the type of buzz resulting in new fans. I think that's big for the future of the league.

[Luuuc]

Merc road crowds will increase, and Griner will definitely be responsible for a few of those people, but it'll mainly be because PFT is back

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Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.

[Happycappie25]

If bob is bullish because of the ESPN deal that show you how big that deal is.

I've written off the league as a goner a few times myself and as you know I'm one of their most vibrant supporters. Especially 2009/2010, that didn't look good at all. and I've gone on record that the excellent PHX/IND finals saved the league.

24/7 wall street isn't wrong to bring up Stern leaving as a concern. If it wasn't for the ESPN deal I'd be very worried despite all of the positive energy.

I WILL say though there is a threat to the league coming back in 2014 but it has nothing to do with Stern and Silver.

The CBA will need some major changes to keep quality of play up. the 11 player rule was the chief player in the chacainery with PHX last year. Having no provisions for injuries and forcing teams to dress injured players or play with 10 and pay and keep players out for the year is what allowed PHX to decide to take a year off from the getgo.

Luckly this year's draft was deep enough to push out some veterans who were dead weight but getting fat off of contracts beyond their value. But there still needs to be some place for player development (tulsa shock jokes not withstanding) and some mechanism to get some players here during the offseason to help with the sale of sponsorships and season tickets.

Long story short...The WNBA as we know it will end this season, either with a major raise in salaries (which I dunno if they can support) some sort of single entity hybrid (given the uniforms and some courts, I think that's Richie's vision and it's not terrible) or a new pay structure (Developmental players, Beckham rule etc.) the new CBA has to take the sponsorship deals into account and needs to create an environment where one player doesn't effect every decision for the season.

How? That's what we're giving the Last Girl Scout all those cookies for

Now the good news, Like Bob the ESPN Deal (aside from them insisting on the 3 to see garbage) is a major boost for the league and a huge feather for Laurel. This draft chased out many vested veterans which tells me the onus is on developing players. Reily, Dorrell, and Kraay as good years as they had, for them to be kicked to the curb is a healthy sign for the W.

So I'd give the W an 80% chance, lower than it should be, on paper I'd give it 95% but the CBA expiring and what should be a new structure is what gives me the willies.

One thing...as the rosters are structured today: The WNBA despite this positive uptick...WILL end up in the same mess it was in in 2010 if they don't fix it, it's a poor model for on court quality and 2012 was living proof of that.

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"Leave it to the NCAA women's basketball committee to turn a glass slipper into glass ceiling" Graham Hays

[Happycappie25]

[colt13]

[Str8_Butta]

Here we go again......

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WNBA fan since 1997