If I were commisioner and, for some odd reason, still wanted the WNBA alive, I would make drastic changes to make the game 'flashy.' Fundamentals are great, but it does not sell. Look at the Spurs...touted as the team that plays "ugly" because of their defense and Duncan's boring backboard shots. And that's exactly what the WNBA is...fundamental basketball. The first change I would make is lowering the goal to where the WNBA players could dunk. I'm not sure how low exactly, but I'm sure that there could be a study done showing the average height of the shortest NBA players that could dunk...then take that proportion and apply it to the WNBA players' height standards. Lowering the goal and having girls dunk just might create marketable players in the WNBA. It should be standard in all woman's basketball so that young girls playing bball can work on their dunks. Dunking is big to women...this will in turn lead to girls working on their crossover capabilities, driving, etc. You basically mimic the NBA product. Just in smaller proportions. the commisioner should have seen those problems when people/media made a big deal about Lisa Leslie (the star product of the WNBA) being PRAISED for being "the first woman to dunk in the WNBA." That should have been a red flag that the WNBA was an inferior marketing product. I would lower the goal so WNBA players could dunk, then I'd make that gay guy dancing in the 'jam cam' do commercials. Bada bing bada boom!
That's actually not a bad idea. I'm surprised they haven't gone that route already, considering that the game is already played with a noticably smaller ball and shorter three-point line. The only problem would be if you lowered it too much, it would just add fuel to the fire of weekend warriors who knock the game because they can play at that level, and it would also make some of the taller players completely unstoppable.
That is exactly what they need. Those 'unstoppable' players would provide a face for the WNBA. And if it gets too dominant one year, then adjust the rules the very next year...sort of what the NBA did to spotlight wing players more than post players. and it doesn't matter what the weekend warriors say. Of course WNBA players can't play to the NBA level, that's because only one person can barely dunk in the league. EVERYTHING is based on getting a layup or jumpshot. NO flash in the WNBA (no pun intended). Remember, dunks have HUGE potential of being memorable. That's how names are made...Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, T-Mac, etc. Even guys who do not play well on an NBA team make names for themselves through spectacular dunks, i.e. Nate Robinson, Gerald Green, etc. Seeing women dunk on highlight reels will inspire the young girl basketball player to be like that. In the future, it could REALLY pay off. You'll start to see more girls getting more athletic, have more hops, and shoot better percentages because they won't have to push the ball so hard getting it to the 10ft rim. The arc on their shots will be more above the rim. An example of expanding WNBA marketability: Having a dunk contest at their all-star event. Dunking also brings A LOT of emotion to the game itself. The thrill of dunking in someone's face, or the potential to stuff someone on a dunk attempt is something that the women ballers will get to experience. Lowering the rim, in my opinion, will change the marketing ability and capabilities of the WNBA for the better. Heck, it's slowly going down the toilet right now, why not give it a shot. If it fails, you were on your way there anyway. If it is a success, you've changed the face of women's basketball for the better.
WNBA games are so boring. I feel like I should stick up for it because I'm a girl but sorry was there really a need for it?
because seeing fat old white slobs stuffing their fat faces full of food is more entertaining than watching girls play basketball. not saying its right, but thats how it is. of course the only real athlete in competative eating is Kobayashi Takeru.
I had an eating contest once with my friends.. it was at BW3 and took us about 15 minutes to finish up 15 wings. I finished last cus I had the hottest one. Needless to say I squirted all out the next morning in the toilet.