**Original pos from http://my.wnba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1800006030**

(Preface: I’m an avid basketball and WNBA fan. This is in general response to some of the comments here, and others I’ve seen while poking around the web. And, this turned out a bit long than I'd planned...)


Remembering leaving the comforts of home and being out on your own for the first time?

The NBA has been named like the “big brother” of the WNBA, but I think been more like a Parent than a Sibling. The NBA has been financially supporting the league and coat tailing the WNBA along these all these years; which probably accounted for a lot of the original heavy marketing and TV exposure. The WNBA needed a lot of support to get it off the ground. It’s a simple hard fact and nothing to be ashamed of. Now, the Parents are pushing the Kid out, making it fend for itself. The WNBA is that kid trying to make it’s own way, but it doesn’t have the same pull, experience, or cold-hard cash to get it down as quickly or easily as when the ‘Rents were involved. The Kid has to work harder, get creative, be resourceful, and just plain push. The adjustment isn’t fun, but it’s necessary and vital.

I see the ever-polarizing ‘Live Access’ a resolute of this transition. Of course this isn’t the ideal situation for the league or the fans, but it’s a plausible substitute while the next phase is worked out. I’d much rather have the option to sit at my computer and watch a live game than have to hope for a highlight on EPSN or watch the Play-by-Play on wnba.com (both of which I have done)

I personally enjoy the ‘Live Access’ (as a temporary substitute) and have had minimal problems using the feature. However, I
A) live in the metro-area of Los Angeles
B) am relatively computer savvy
C) am extremely stubborn
Yes, I did experience a few bugs in the beginning, but I was able to remedy those relatively easily by a Help menu or a software update. My biggest complaint with ‘Live Access’ has been not knowing whether or not a game will be archived, and being greatly saddened when I find out a game I wanted to see was streamed yet not archived.

I agree far and well about needing more WNBA games broadcast on TV. It just doesn’t feel the same drink a beer in front of my comp instead of the tube. And “Hey, wanna come over and watch the game on my Mac?” just does not sound inviting. However, I do not feel gearing towards female-specific networks (Lifetime, Oxygen, etc) would really help to up the “respect” level for the league. Personally, I (a female) rarely watch those networks, and don’t feel that would provide the right coverage to continue to establish the WNBA as a legit and respectable league.
Take a stroll over and peek at the line-ups on those networks…proposed Summer 2010 lineup?:
6-7pm: Project Runway (Re-run)
7-9pm: WNBA- SAC @ DET
9-9:30pm: Will & Grace
9:30-10pm: Reba
10-11pm: Desperate Housewives
Hmmmm…one of these things is not like the other. Nothing against those networks or viewers, I just don't see it as a good fit.

If the WNBA struck up a deal with these networks, would I watch? Yes, but that’s because I love the game and the league. Do I feel it would be a step in the right direction? No. Suggestions- Increased ESPN360.com for non-televised games would allow for great exposure to the sports world. HULU (winterjl), that’s a winner! A bit of a stretch (since they only cover tv/movies currently), but still a winner; great exposure and way to get increased league interest. Or heck, even just create an improved ‘Live Access’ player, with widget-type stats and score ticker (to remedy switching around windows to see how other games are going.)

I LOVE the fact that people are upset and angry. It shows the love and passion that runs deep in the WNBA fans, which is something the league is known for. However, I feel these passionate emotions could be used in a more constructive way. Overall, I think the most important factor in all this, the thing that will stand out the most…

Support the league.

Live near a team- Go to a game. Go to several

Not your favorite team? Go anyways- Depending on the conference you’ll get 1 or 2 games to see your favorite team when they come to town. Then, go see your second favorite team/player when they come to town. If you’re really a fan, you’ll enjoy yourself regardless

Don’t have anyone to go with? Ask around

Still no takers? Go by yourself; make new friends (Bonus: they are already fans!)

Don’t live near a team?- Take a road trip

Road trip not an option?- Sponsor a YMCA or school team from the area, send 11-15 young energetic kids instead. There are very reasonably priced tickets offered, and I’m sure you can work a group discount.

Buy merchandise

Visit WNBA.com, often

Visit your favorite teams’ site, often

Visit the leagues’ sponsors’ websites, often

ESPN/NBA-TV not showing enough WNBA?- Write it, let them know we want more. Twitter play-by-plays to their Twitter page. Be consistent. Contact every relevant source possible. Let these networks (local/national) know there is a demand out there, and its not being met.

Yes, in a perfect world, all levels of women’s athletics would be appreciated and respected on the same level as men’s. Equal coverage, equal pay, equal respect. Welp, I think we all know we’re not in a perfect world, but that wasn’t reason enough to keep this league from reaching what is now its 13th season. This league that has been plagued as an inevitable failure by many since that fatefully first tip-off in June of 97’. The doubters have never been silent in their feelings “Who wants to watch women play professional basketball?” A little trip back in history will show there was that same doubt when the juggernaut now-known-as-the-NBA first began. It had a rocky start, but the NBA came out ok, don’t you think?

This is a complex situation, with sensitive details and kinks. I have no doubt the playmakers of the WNBA (Donna Orender and crew) are not content with the coverage and are looking to improve this. This business of basketball is just that; business. I say let’s all continue the die-hard support, keep up the noise, fill up the seats, buy a shirt, and visit a website or 2. These all speak in volumes to the power-players sitting behind the controls.