Six WNBA Cities to Honor Current and Past U.S. Olympic Greats

Related Links Athletes scheduled to appear Pre-tour Interview with emcee Summer Sanders

NEW YORK, September 3 – Following what IOC President Jacques Rogge called the “unforgettable dream Games” in Athens, Greece, the WNBA and the United States Olympic Committee have teamed up to salute past and present female U.S. Olympians throughout the month of September at six different WNBA venues. The WNBA Salutes the Women of the U.S. Olympic Teams Tour is being sponsored with the generous support of Allstate, Bud Light, Dasani, and McDonald’s.

“We couldn’t have been prouder of the 21 current and former WNBA players that distinguished themselves as medalists during the Olympic Games in Athens,” said WNBA President Val Ackerman. “The success of the U.S. women in Athens became an overriding theme of the games, and the WNBA is excited to provide a platform to further celebrate female U.S. Olympians, who have proudly represented our country across a variety of sports.”

Members of the U.S. swimming, diving, softball, water polo, soccer, sailing, shooting and kayaking teams are among the Olympians that will be honored during halftime ceremonies in Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Washington and Detroit.

The 2004 WNBA Season resumed September 1. Ratings for ABC’s and ESPN2’s telecasts of WNBA games are up 14 and 16 percent respectively from a year ago. The season-opening telecast featuring the Phoenix Mercury at the Connecticut Sun was the highest rated WNBA game (regular season or playoffs) ever on ABC, and the July 11 telecast featuring the Mercury at the New York Liberty was the highest rated WNBA regular season game ever on ESPN2. Total visits to the league’s official web site, WNBA.com, have increased 10% over last season, with more than 4.5 million visits to date.

Click here for a list of athletes scheduled to appear

SEATTLE Wednesday, Sept. 8, 7:00pm Shock at Storm PHOENIX Saturday, Sept. 11, 7:00pm Shock at Mercury WASHINGTON DC Sunday, Sept. 12, 12:00pm Comets at Mystics HOUSTON Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7:30pm Lynx at Comets LOS ANGELES Friday, Sept. 17, 7:30 pm Lynx at Sparks DETROIT Sunday, Sept. 19, 2:00pm Sting at Shock *all times local

Join the WNBA in celebration of the achievements and successes of strong women and see where the WNBA ball is popping up.