One-on-One with WNBA President Val Ackerman
Here's what Ackerman had to say.
Val Ackerman: To all of our fans, thanks for being on today and, most of all, thanks for supporting the WNBA, our teams, and our players. We expect this to be our most competitive season ever, and we hope all of you will be coming out to our arenas or catching the action on ABC, ESPN2, Oxygen, Telemundo or NBA TV!
Andy (Gaithersburg, Maryland): Do you see the WNBA expanding to 16 teams next year to accomodate the class of 2004, and if so, what are the new markets that are being considered?
Val Ackerman: We'd like to get back to 16 teams, but have no specific timetable for that. We are exploring a number of potential new markets, including cities where there is no NBA team, and I think there's a very good chance we'll be adding at least one new city for 2004.
Keturah (Los Angeles, California): How is the return of Cynthia Cooper going to impact the WNBA now that it is in its 7th season? Also, do you think that it is going to be hard for the Sparks to win their third championship with the tough teams in the West and some in the East. I am soooo excited for the seventh season, it's going to be fun!!!!!
Val Ackerman: Cynthia has been one of the greatest players ever in the WNBA, and we're thrilled to have her back. It'll be exciting to see how she stacks up against Lisa, Sheryl, Chamique, Tamika and all of our rising stars. In terms of who will win the championship this year, there are simply no givens -- I know Los Angeles is intent on winning a three-peat, but the other 13 teams are equally intent on making it their turn.
Jason (Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina): Hey Val, I was just wondering if you've given any thought about maybe expanding to 48 minute games now that you can expand the season and also, will the 3-point line be moved if it is moved in the college game?
Val Ackerman: We have no immediate plans to lengthen our games to 48 minutes. The primary reason for the current 40-minute length is to ensure that the games are completed in, or around, two hours, which is an important consideration for television. But I expect this may be reconsidered in time. As far as the three-point line goes, now that women's college basketball will be using a longer line, I believe that we will have to give that rule change serious consideration.
Nikki (Newark, DE): Val, in a nutshell, can you explain the possible ramifications Title IX could have on the WNBA?
Val Ackerman: There's no question that there would be no WNBA without Title IX. It's very important to our league that there be full opportunity at junior levels (youth, high school, college) for girls and women to play basketball and other sports. We have been monitoring closely the administration's process for reviewing Title IX over the past several months, and we have made it clear that the WNBA supports nothing less than the preservation of Title IX's current policies and the strengthening of its enforcement. If you haven't done so already, please sign our petition in support of Title IX -- you can find it on our Website. [Sign the petition now.]
brittney (houston, texas): What is the hardest thing about being president of the wnba?
Val Ackerman: I don't have enough hours in the day to do everything we'd like to do to build our league and our sport!
Deb (Chicago, Ill): Where do you see the WNBA in 5 years, 10 years?
Val Ackerman: At each of those anniversaries, I hope we have more teams, more games, more fans, and a greater hold on the consciousness of the public.
Shonda (St. Louis, MO): Val, I'm just wondering if Season Pass will ever be offered again? I can't believe it was discontinued. There are so many fans outside of WNBA cities who depend on that. I know NBAtv is carrying games but there are still some games that are being shown locally that, if there had been Season Pass, fans would have been able to see. There's just not enough games on TV this year for fans not living in WNBA cities.
Val Ackerman: Season Pass will not be available this year. Instead, we have expanded the number of games that will be available on NBA TV, the NBA's digital channel. In addition, our games can be seen on most Saturdays on ABC, Tuesday nights on Oxygen (including tonight's game featuring L.A. at Cleveland starting at 8 p.m. ET), and ESPN2 on Thursdays. Finally, most of our teams are televising a package of local games, so be sure to check your local listings.
Amy (Chapmanville, West Virginia): As a high school student, I spend much of my time planning my future - what college to attend, what major I should choose, what type of occupation I want to pursue, etc. - so, my question is this: What employment opportunities are available for young women such as myself who have a strong interest in the future of women's professional sports, especially the WNBA, other than being an actual player?
Val Ackerman: There are more opportunities than ever before to work in sports. The business has become very specialized -- you can choose to work in coaching, athletic training, public relations, broadcasting, sales and marketing, law, finance, the list just goes on. I encourage you to do your homework and learn about all of these opportunities and then be aggressive about your search. I can tell you, once you get your foot in the door, even more opportunities will become available.
Reggie (Maryland-Mystics Country): Any chance of expanding the playoffs from 3 games to 5?
Val Ackerman: We have no immediate plans to expand beyond the three-game format, but I'm sure there will be a day when we increase at least the final round to five games. This year, we lengthened our season, and the playoffs will now be conducted over the first two weeks of September.
Alyssa (Tampa, Florida): How does it feel to have 5 time Olympian Teresa Edwards playing in the WNBA?
Val Ackerman: We're very excited "T" has joined the WNBA. She's a women's basketball legend, and we think she'll make a variety of contributions to the Lynx and the league. I know Suzie McConnell Serio is thrilled to have her on her team, and I'm sure she'll be a positive influence on the rest of our players.
michelle (danbury, ct): Diana Taurasi is my favorite women's basketball player of all time. Do you think it would ever be possible for someone as talented as Diana to be drafted into the WNBA before completing their senior year, which is so often the case with the men's game? Thanks so much!!
Val Ackerman: We do not permit "early entry" in the WNBA, and I do not foresee that rule changing.
Kevin (Macon, GA): With the reduction of teams from 16 to 14, will the league still be taking 8 teams to the playoffs?
Val Ackerman: Our playoff format will continue to advance the top four teams from each conference, and have the respective conference winners meet in the WNBA Finals.
Katja: What do you think the dunk will bring to the wnba
Val Ackerman: Lisa Leslie's dunk last year was a WNBA highlight, and while I don't believe fans will be seeing dunks with any regularity any time soon, I'm confident that other dunks will follow this season and beyond. We have several players who can do it: Sylvia Crawley, Margo Dydek, Michelle Snow, to name a few, so stay tuned!
Deron (Dayton, OH): Why did you decide to bring the All-Star game back to New York? What do you think will be the highlight of the game this year?
Val Ackerman: Because this year represents the fifth anniversary of the inaugural WNBA All-Star Game, we thought it would be fitting to return to New York this year, and we're sure it will be a great event for the league and our fans. The game will be played in Madison Square Garden on July 12, and for those of you who can't make it in person, tune in to ABC at 4 p.m. ET that day.
IsraeliVJfan: Val, what will the WNBA do for the 2004 season with the Olympics going on in the middle of it?
Val Ackerman: We're still working out the specifics, but we envision playing our season, in its entirety, allowing the players involved to participate in the Olympics, and likely playing some reduced game schedule during that time period. We like the idea of conducting our playoffs after the Olympics are over and with the added visibility that the Olympic performances will bring to a number of our star players.
Val Ackerman: Thanks again for your interest and your support -- WNBA fans are truly the best in sports! I hope to see you at a game this summer.