Week 4: Ask The Sun
I am a season ticket holder, I don�t have a question, I just wanted to say thank you ,the sun rock, I will for sure renew for next season. You guys run a real classy organization. Thanks, GO SUN
Wow....thank you! It is always nice to get some very positive feedback. The credit goes to my great staff and interns. They do a wonderful job and in my opinion, are the best in the league!
Laura from Norwich, CT asks:
My boyfriend 'loves' Brooke Wyckoff and would like to know if there will be a hat or jersey with her number on it?
Can fans send items to players? I would like to appreciate team members for the memories they have supplied and was wondering if they can receive gifts? Thank you.
Well, tell your boyfriend he is not the only one who 'loves' Brooke! Right now, there are no merchandise plans for this season with Brooke's name and number on it, though it remains a possibility for the future. As for sending things to the team, you can send to the players name c/o Connecticut Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, Connecticut 06382.
Sharon from Columbia, CT asks:
I love attending the home games of the Connecticut Sun. The excitement of being in the arena watching our talented women playing great basketball is a wonderful experience. However, sometimes being in the arena doesn't necessarily mean that all plays are seen, this is especially true when a foul has been called. Are there any plans to show instant replays on the big screens? I believe showing the replays would be an added tool to understanding the game even further. Thank you for making this forum available. The Connecticut Sun are truly fan friendly.
Good question. Sometimes you will note that we do show replays of fouls. However, if there are controversial calls, we are limited by league mandate as to what we can show as to not stir up a melee in the crowd. So, I guess this is a yes/no answer - we do sometimes, can possibly do some more, but cant do all of them. Confused? I am !
Lynne from Manchester, NH asks:
Chris, I live 2 1/2 hours from Mohegan, have seasons tickets, and love the games! I am wondering why only some of the players come out to shoot around before the game. Also, how come only some of the players come over to the ramp and sign autographs? Driving 5 hours for every game, it is such a treat to get some autographs beforehand and chat with the players. Thank you to those who take the time to...we love you!
Players have rituals....right, wrong or indifferent. If you have ever noticed, you will never see Taj shoot around - she just doesn't do it. Other players limit their shoot around, others try and maintain their focus in other ways. Our players, along with the other players in the league are very accessible. However, I can not mandate that they walk through a certain tunnel or that they must sign autographs. However, if they knew you were driving 5 hours a game, they might change their mind!
Marie from Andover, CT asks:
As a 3 year CT SUN Fan and 2 year season ticket holder I was asked by another fan in my section what the salaries are for the WNBA players. I do not know. I heard there was a cap of around $40,000 a year. Is this true? Who is the highest paid player and what is the salary? Do they receive bonuses for winning games such as the playoffs?
Thanks,
Curious Fan
Salaries in this league are very minuscule compared to their male counterparts in the NBA. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) specifies all players salaries through the agreement. There is a rookie scale that sets that player's salary for four years. Veterans can earn more, but all must fall within the player maximum salary and the team cap. Salary ranges grow each year, so this years max dollar amount will increase next year. Players in this league will earn anywhere from the mid $30's to almost $90,000 this year, for a four month season.
Wendy from Salem, CT asks:
I have been a season ticket holder
for three years now. I just love the team, and would like to attend some away games too. Is there a fan club or anyone that plans bus transportation or maybe in the future something can be organized so we can provide support at their away games. Thanks!
Our fans are always welcome at our games (on the road and home). However, with most games a plane ride away, we don't orchestrate trips to them. We have seen fans pop up in Seattle, Detroit, Washington, New York and even Houston and Los Angeles. The best way, is to talk to your friends and organize a bus and cheer us on...but you may wish to limit the bus trips to NY and Washington. Phoenix is a long way by bus!
Barbara from Warren, MA asks:
Are there any plans for Coach T &/or the Sun players to hold any clinics when their season is done? My daughter went to Coach T's camp last year and benefited from it both in skills & inspiration. It would be great to have that boost before school tryouts.
Right now there are no plans for a clinic after the season. Unfortunately, most players leave immediately after the conclusion of our season to play overseas. As for Coach T, I know clinics have been discussed but we have no set dates as of today.
David from Orlando, FL asks:
I am a basketball fan, but I've never really checked out the women's game too much. To be honest, I never really paid much attention to your team when it was here in Orlando, much less all the way up in New England. Someone told me I should watch your team on a national TV because it's exiting and they sure were right, but without the tip I might have remained in ignorance. What is your game plan to make sure that people like me are turned on to you team and more generally your league?
Great question. We do what we can to reach out to our local market - Connecticut and into Massachusetts, Rhode Island and limited into New Hampshire and Vermont. Our team will not reach to Florida. However, in the bigger picture, the league is revamping its approach to reach the masses. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the league. I think you will find greater visibility surrounding our players and our league. As I pointed out a few Friday's ago, our attendance and exposure in year 9 is where the NBA was in its 25th year. That said, the league is still in its infancy and we get a lot of new fans via word-of-mouth (viral marketing). SO please, tell your friends and keep watching. It is great, competitive basketball!
Judy from Niantic, CT asks:
My husband and I have been season ticket holders from day one. We have really enjoyed the Connecticut Sun Women's basketball team and glad there is a Connecticut team.
I was a New York Liberty fan before Connecticut Sun was born. I would like to see more different
types of merchandise for the Sun.
Do you think there will be more items in the coming future?
GOOD LUCK IN THE PLAYOFFS
I don't think a week has passed without a merchandise question! That said, YES! There will be lots of exciting things happening for all you Sun fans who want some new wardrobe additions, fun gimmicks, stuff for kids and toddlers or neat things to show off to your friends - but you have to wait! I can not get into specifics just yet, but we have something cooking.......
Ashley from Meriden, CT asks
What are some of the things you do before you have a game at your houses and things like that? I have another question. Can you please ask Margo how she got so tall? Also, you know section 25, the little kid that is the loudest, that is me and U go Sun, keep on winning!
Well, first off, thanks for being a Sun fan. We appreciate the young and old, but the youth we hope, will become fans for life! As for game preparation, there is a lot that goes into it - putting down the floor, setting up the seating, practicing dance routines and in-game contests. The team practices and watches film and an assortment of many other things, too detailed to write in this small space. As for Margo, a pretty good source tells me she drank lots of milk, ate lots of vegetables and started with breakfast everyday. Don't believe the people that tell you they stretched her!