There are lots of things to discuss in any given off-season. First priority on the business side is to expand our reach and attract more fans, either as season ticket holders, mini-plan holders or individual game purchasers. We also hope to increase sponsorship revenue and we will iron out television and radio deals. On the player side, we are now free to trade, now that the expansion draft has passed us by. We consider all options on improving the team, and focusing on returning to the Finals. There are many other things to focus on, such as our marketing plans, community outreach, coaches clinic and other internal initiatives.

Suzanne from Staffordville, CT writes:
I don't understand the difference between a restricted and non-restricted free agent. Please educate me. Thank you.

Good question. A RFA (Restricted Free Agent) is a player that has played a certain amount of years based upon the Collective Bargaining Agreement. For example, Asjha Jones is a RFA, and Nykesha Sales is an UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent). Quite simply, a player becomes either a RFA or UFA based upon years of service. A RFA can be offered a contract from any other team. However, the Sun have the right to match that offer and the player will then stay with the Sun. If we chose not to match the offer, then the player would then go to the other team. An UFA has the right to choose what they wish to do. Any team may make an offer, and the player, in this case Keesh, can choose where she wants to go without giving her current team a chance to match and retain her rights, unless she was deemed a "core" player (similar to a franchise player in football). Does that help?

Roberto from Norwich, CT writes:
I assume you are Italian as your name ends in "o". If that is the case, please answer this: come pensate il margo farete questo anno confrontato all'ultima stagione e, studiereste la possibilità di commerciarli?

I am not Italian, but let me see if I have the answer to which you seek: You asked something close to this (as I can convert)"How do you think Margo will do this year compared to last season and would I consider trading her?"The answer is this: Margo took some time off and will actually be playing with Lindsay overseas. The time off will help, as will playing with one of her Sun teammates. As to trading Margo, she, like any member of the Sun, would be considered trade-able based upon the situation and the other players involved. This is a business, and our objective is to win. I think Margo helped us last year, so we will have to see what the off-season brings. If you are a betting man, I think you would see Margo in a Sun uniform in 2006!

Bob from Australia writes:
Erin Phillips is really hitting some form in Australia. Recently she played against Lauren Jackson's team here in the Australian league . Erin shot 31 points and had a swag of rebounds (Laura Summerton also shot 20 odd points with a lot of rebounds) this was against Alana Beard from Washington and Tully Bevilaqua from Indiana. We can not wait for 2006 and a chance to support the Sun from ‘down under’. We get the odd game on ESPN here - but rely on webcasts. Will the webcasts be available in 2006?
Go SUN

Erin Philips is having a great season. We keep tabs on her and all of our athletes overseas. The game you are talking about was certainly a great box score for us - she and Laura combining for 54 points. Regarding webcasts, it looks like you will be able to follow the Sun all summer (winter) long! We also hope to be on television more often - so perhaps you can watch us more as well. Thank you for keeping up with the Sun from ‘down under’!

Connie from Sioux Falls, SD writes:
I believe last year in your draft picks, you chose Megan Mahoney from Kansas, despite her injury late in her senior year. What is her status?

Megan is doing well, thank you! She has been cleared to play pick-up games and is working out. Our training staff has been checking up with her and she is on a Sun prescribed weight program. Megan suffered the same injury that Keesh suffered as a senior at UConn. If Keesh is any indicator, Megan should have lots of good years ahead!

Norbert from Providence, RI writes:
I would like to personally wish Brooke Wyckoff all of the best for her upcoming assignment at Chicago. I admired her spirits, when she was "on the bench" during the 2003 season and cheering on the players without being able to play herself. Then in 2004 she was always willing and able to give her best to support the team and make a couple of key plays. I did not expect her being released from the Sun. Nevertheless, I would like to wish her well and a lot of success.

Thank you for your comments. To clarify, the Sun did not release her. The expansion by-laws limited all WNBA teams to protecting 6 players. That unfortunately leaves some very good players unprotected and available in the draft. We tried hard to keep her and made many different trade options, but in the end, it was not meant to be. On the positive side, Brooke will have a great opportunity to start again, and contribute to a new franchise in many more ways than she could here. We will miss her greatly. She is a good person, good teammate and a very positive individual with a lot of talent!

Carl from Uncasville, CT writes:
I know Brooke is not the most talented person on the team. But why would you break the chemistry you have created when she was one of the top seven in minutes?? Especially when Sales was a free agent and couldn't be protected?

Carl, see above. No decision is easy, especially one that involves a great talent and teammate like Brooke. The reality is, we think not only about tomorrow, but about the upcoming seasons. We have to take calculated risks in an effort to continue with our success. While we know it is a loss not to have Brooke on the roster, we will adjust and take control of the players and talent we do have.