WNBA reaches labor deal with the players

While I'm always glad to hear about a sports league reaching a collective bargaining agreement with its players, I'm scratching my head a bit at this:

The WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association announced Monday that they have entered into a collective bargaining agreement covering six seasons, starting in 2008 and going through the 2013 season.

The 2007 season was the league's most successful. The WNBA set attendance records for the playoffs (216,863 fans at 21 games) and the finals (74,178 at five games). Regular-season attendance grew by 2 percent in 2007. The 2007 campaign also was highlighted by a new eight-year television agreement with ESPN, which extends the league's relationship with the network to 20 seasons.

I'm glad to hear that the WNBA is doing well, and is looking that far ahead. I enjoy going to Comets games, and I can't wait till Olivia and Audrey are old enough to really get into the action. Olivia already seems to be a bit more interested in sports if girls are playing; she actually sat and watched a little of the NCAA softball tournament with me this past spring.

My concern is that from where I sit, the Comets don't seem to be doing as well. Their fan base is dedicated, it's just not very big, and their move to Reliant Arena just reinforces that perception to me. I feel reasonably confident that new owner Hilton Koch will take steps to broaden the fan base, but until I see more fannies in the seats, I will remain concerned. I want my daughters to enjoy the women's basketball experience. I hope they will be able to do so.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on January 30, 2008 to Other sports