For 18 years, the women�s professional basketball world has had the privilege of having Karen Bryant leading and working to grow the sport.

Following the 2014 Seattle Storm season, Karen has announced that she will be stepping away from the franchise.

�I feel that now is the right time to step away from the Storm,� said Bryant. �I am so proud of all that we have accomplished the past 14 seasons. Right now, I am focused and excited about the upcoming celebration of the Storm�s 15th anniversary season.�

From the very beginning, Bryant ( @KBSeattleStorm) has been at the center of Seattle Storm operations. Hired by the Ackerley family in 1999 to help secure a WNBA franchise for Seattle, Bryant has worked tirelessly over the past 15 years to build the Storm reputation to what it is today. A leader in business and women�s sports, Bryant has guided the team through drafting back-to-back franchise players in Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird, two championships and three ownership changes.

�Karen has been an integral part of the Seattle Storm since the beginning and we have had the great pleasure of learning from her over the past six years,� said Force 10 Hoops co-owner, Lisa Brummel. �We look forward to continuing our partnership as we start the 15th season of Storm basketball in Seattle and will support her in all that she wants to do as she moves on with her life pursuits.�

With 18 years of professional basketball experience on her resume, Bryant has not only had success on the court, but has impressed the importance of community involvement throughout her tenure. With awards that include the Girl Scouts Women of Influence and the Health and Dignity Award by the Americans for UNFPA, Bryant was passionate about giving back to the community.

�Karen has had the greatest impact on the success of the Seattle Storm over the 14 seasons of its existence,� said Storm head coach and general manager Brian Agler. �With this being Karen's last season, we want to continue to make her proud of how this team plays on the court. I have total confidence that our ownership group will conduct a national search and put time into finding the right person and formula to take the Seattle Storm into a very successful future!�

�Karen has made tremendous contributions to the Seattle Storm and the WNBA during her 15 years with the league,� said WNBA President Laurel Richie. �Her passion and creativity have been truly inspirational. We fully support her desire to seek new challenges and opportunities, and we are thrilled that she has agreed to stay engaged in 2014 to ensure a smooth leadership transition for the Storm.�

Bryant will remain in her current role through much of the 2014 season while Force 10 Hoops conducts a thorough search to name a replacement.