Re: David Stern on WNBA

This is so true - I whole heartedly support the summer schedule, not 
just agree to it because it makes sense:
a) it allows many folks (like me) who are not in WNBA cities to travel 
to see games - winter travel is not as likely here in the North, except 
a very small radius and usually for college games.
b) it is not only the spectators for college ball that would be affected 
by a winter schedule, but all those girls playing high school and 
college ball would not be free to attend WNBA games (or do internships 
with WNBA teams, and participate in other ways...if we want our next 
generation to have more options in the sports arena after graduation, 
they need the time/opportunities to get experience)
c) with the economy still poor, the expendable income will go to fewer 
and fewer things, but if stretched over the whole year we can all keep a 
basketball fix for most months of the year.
Nancy

> 
> Anyone remember the USFL?  Well, when it started out, it played in the
> springtime.  I don't know if the league ever knocked 'em dead at the box
> office, but for certain the death knell of the league came in its 3rd or 
> 4th
> season when they opted to play in the fall -- up head to head with the 
> NFL. 
> Now they are an asterisk in the history of American sports.
> 
> I think it wise that the WNBA continue playing in the summer.  A move to 
> the
> winter season would surely cause the league's collapse.  A competition 
> with the
> NBA and college ball -- men's & women's -- would be a contest that the 
> WNBA
> could not hope to survive.  The typical basketball fan only has so much
> disposable income to spend on the sport.  Even women's college ball has 
> more
> devoted (and numerous) fans.  I wish it weren't the case, but it appears 
> to be
> so.
> 
> Bottom line:  Keep WNBA to a summer schedule.
> 
> Jim
> 
>