With great ball movement and intense defense, the Chicago Sky last weekend won the 2021 WNBA championship.
They became a wonderful story thanks to Candace Parker returning to her hometown and winning another title, and thanks to two guards marrying starting in a championship backcourt and James Wade becoming one of the most endearing sports coaches.
Now that the league has had time to celebrate an entertaining playoffs, let’s improve the league.
Here’s how:
Stop competing with the NFL
The WNBA ratings continue to rise and they were especially good before the NFL season started. Then the Lynx played their only home playoff game against a Vikings-Seahawks game at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the deciding game of the Sky-Mercury Finals was against an NFL Sunday.
Stop that. Even baseball, once the most popular sport in the United States, cannot compete with the NFL.
The WNBA should benefit from the summer, where it would compete only with baseball, which in the regular season is a regional sport. If the WNBA insists on playing in the fall — a mistake — then at least schedule games at times other than Sunday afternoon.
As a general sports columnist, I’m desperate for topics during the summer and overloaded with options in the fall. When the Lynx play during the summer, I like to cover a meaningful basketball game rather than just a baseball game.
Stop with the list machinations
Last year, the Lynx had to “cut” Layshia Clarendon or Rachel Banham to stay in compliance with roster and payroll limits.
On a related note, new Lynx/Timberwolves owner Mark Lore texted Lynx general manager and coach Cheryl Reeve to ask why WNBA player salaries were so low.
Lore became a billionaire by investing heavily in the ideas he loved. NBA owners who also own WNBA franchises should see the growth and positive trends surrounding the WNBA and pay players, expand rosters, expand the league and, later, reap the rewards, just like owners who prioritize investment in all major men’s sports. made over the last century.
Fake it till you make it
Charter planes instead of flying teams commercially, at least for the playoffs. Want to sell yourself as a major sport? Act like a major sport.
Troll, troll, troll
The Chicago Sky brought to its victory party the door that Mercury star Diana Taurasi broke down during the finals. Bright.
The WNBA already has brilliant players, brilliant basketball and brilliant competition to sell. What has made the NFL successful is how people respond to it. They gamble, play fantasy football, overreact, follow social media for interpersonal drama, memes, and insults.
Play it. Have a little fun. Engage fans’ emotions.
Mo’money
Yes, a lot of it is about money. The WNBA needs to pay its players enough that they don’t need or want to play overseas. Napheesa Collier did not return at the start of the 2021 season and Kayla McBride missed training camp due to overseas commitments. If the Lynx had gotten off to a quicker start, they might have gotten a second bye and Clarendon, the key to their success, might have been healthier.
Forget Facebook
All WNBA games should be available on easily accessible streaming channels. Facebook doesn’t deserve this league, watching games on Twitter is boring, and forcing fans to buy an additional subscription is a bad idea.
You can scam people after you have gained a satisfactory market share. Not now.
Keep fighting the good fight
The WNBA punches well above its weight when it comes to social issues and social justice. It’s the most admirable league in America.
Keep it up. People alienated by your positions were never going to attend a WNBA game anyway. There are millions of good people who will turn to women’s basketball as the league grows in popularity and stature.
And as Maya Moore demonstrated, there are things in life more important than basketball. Continue to use basketball as a way to make the world a better place. It will pay off.
It’s already the case.
