Tulsa Could Fall Short By End of Month

From Bob Corwin at Full Court Press:

Tulsa has not yet raised enough funds to buy a WNBA franchise. Word has it that former University of Arkansas men’s coach Nolan Richardson, who has been targeted as the future Tulsa head coach, was offered a piece of the franchise ownership to try to bring him on board. WNBA President Orender is trying to give Tulsa extra time to raise sufficient capital. In her most recent comment about the possibility of a team in Tulsa, Orender implied that the team could be an expansion team or a franchise relocation.

The rest of Corwin's article concerns the health of the three WNBA teams that everyone is paying close attention to:

Atlanta: As far as I can tell, the Dream have not sent out their requests for season ticket renewals. (Then again, it could be that the Dream might change venue.)

Detroit: Karen Davidson didn't exactly offer reassuring words regarding the continuation of women's basketball in Detroit.

Indiana: The article must have been written before the Fever organization sent their season ticket renewal packets out. That's no guarantee that the Fever will be here next year, since Houston did the same thing.

We'll keep ya posted with what we know, which ain't a lot.

Holdsclaw: Back Saturday at the Earliest?

According to Clay Kallam, a writer at Full Court Press, Marynell Meadors probably won't reactivate Chamique Holdsclaw till Saturday at the earliest - and only in the situation where we needed to win the game against Washington to make it to the playoffs.

Winning against Connecticut on Friday at our last home game is all that more important. We need as many people at that game as possible. "Win, and we're in!"

The State of the W (Including Tulsa)

Bob Corwin over at Full Court Press makes his predictions about the state of the WNBA. First, Tulsa.

Orender has been very low key about the prospects of a Tulsa WNBA franchise in 2010. From several sources, I have concluded the potential ownership group is much further along in its preparations for a participating 2010 franchise than official league statements would lead us to believe. Assuming Tulsa does join the fold, the biggest question for the rest of the league is whether we're looking at an expansion or a franchise ownership transfer.

It looks like Tulsa is a done deal.

Corwin also writes about the link between WNBA Live Access and uniform sponsorship:

So how are these two events linked? The WNBA is counting the Live Access site hits. That data is then used in approaching potential uniform (and lesser level) sponsors.

You can also read his predictions on the state of the Atlanta Dream, and observations regarding other franchises in the W. Check it out. It really is a very good read.