Women's Pro Basketball History
As of 2010, women good enough to play professional basketball had limited opportunities, but those were better opportunities than players had even 20 years before. In March of 2009, National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern said the WNBA-the-NBA-sponsored Women's National Basketball Association--was actually more profitable in a bad economy than the NBA.
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WBL
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The first American women's pro basketball league was the Women's Professional Basketball League, which private investors started in 1978. The league had notable players like former UCLA star Ann Meyers but never developed a popular following. It was disbanded due to financial hardship after just three seasons.
Dry spell
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After 1981, collegiate women's basketball started to gain traction through television and the rise of personalities like Cheryl Miller of USC. The increased attention encouraged some more attempts at pro leagues. One short-lived league in the early 90s was set up with players who represented the state they played collegiately in (Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, etc.). Since most of the players had jobs, the games were played primarily on weekends.
Meanwhile, some women got pro opportunities in the men's game. Meyers had a try out with the Indiana Pacers; Nancy Lieberman, a star at Old Dominion, played briefly in a men's summer league. In 1985, Lynette Woodard, a standout at Kansas, became the first female Harlem Globetrotter. All three are in the basketball Hall of Fame.
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ABL and WNBA
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The next big attempt at a national pro league came after the 1996 Summer Olympics. The U.S. Women's basketball team had won the gold medal and the surge of interest led to two separate women's leagues. The American Basketball League, or ABL, started in 1996 as a private venture while the WNBA launched in 1997 under the wing of the NBA.
WNBA Potential
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Most sports watchers felt the level of play in the ABL was superior to that in the WNBA. But the ABL didn't have the NBA support and it folded after two full seasons. The WNBA began its 14th season in May of 2010. The league had its ups and downs in attendance and TV ratings and several franchises failed or had to be moved to other cities. But Stern remained positive about it as of 2010. The league reportedly broke even in 2009, which Stern saw as a positive sign for the future.
Season and Salaries
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The WNBA plays a summer schedule to avoid conflicts with the NBA. The WNBA season lasts 34 games compared to 82 for the men. A player with three-plus years of experience earns over $50,000. Some players with six years or more experience can make more than $100,000.
FIBA
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There are women's pro basketball leagues all around the world under the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Many professional women players in America also play for a FIBA team. Some can get four times the salary in Europe that they get from the WNBA.
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References
- Photo Credit basketball image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
