Women's Media Nation | Social, political, and cultural issues relating to women

WNBA’s economic struggles

posted by ...Because I Played Sports
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 9:55pm CDT

The economy isn’t just hurting the everyday blue- collar workers, it’s also hurting the future of professional women’s basketball.
It was brought to my attention by a friend to take a look at an article released on ESPN.com today, in regards to the economy and its hindrance on the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The basis of the article talked about the Atlanta Dream’s ( who have first pick) interest in two players who will be playing tonight for the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship, Connecticut’s, Renee Montgomery and Louisville’s, Angel McCoughtry, it also brought up some interesting points about the economic difficulties facing women’s professional basketball.

With the draft this upcoming Thursday, April 9th, there is a major concern if most of the draft picks will even make the roster of their prospected teams, due to lack of funding. According to the article the league had to cut back on the number of players allowed to make the roster per club down to 11 from 13 last year. Also the number of athletes allowed to participate in training camp is down from 18 to 15 from last season.

“There’s a chance that even half of the players taken in the first round may not even make a team,” Meadors said. “It’s very sad.”

Sad indeed.

The bad economic times have also urged the league to cut out its pre-draft camp. While last year all of the first round picks played in the league, this season may be tougher for rookies, with the amount of available veterans as a result of the folding of the Houston Comets in December, some coaches might opt to go with a vet over a rookie.

However, there are other options for these players like playing overseas. But the situation is still unfortunate for all of these women to be so deserving of their success but have to be held back due limited finances.The establishment of the WNBA was a huge milestone in the race for equality in women’s sports,its existence is crucial. I am hoping the league will be able to hold on until an economic turnaround.