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Michael Scotto: Sources: Boston Celtics G League GM Jarell Christian is joining the WNBA’s Seattle Storm as an assistant coach on Sonia Raman’s staff. Christian was a finalist for previous WNBA head coaching jobs. He was a former G League head coach twice and NBA assistant coach with the Wizards
Project B—a new global basketball league—officially announced its plans in October to host tournaments across Asia, Europe, and Latin America beginning in November 2026 and running through April 2027. On Friday the league, founded by former Facebook executive Grady Burnett and Skype cofounder Geoff Prentice, announced that it had signed Seattle Storm star—and WNBPA president—Nneka Ogwumike as its first player. Other WNBA players have already signed deals to play in Project B, multiple sources told Front Office Sports. Those same sources said multiple stars are being offered seven-figure salaries starting at $2 million annually, with their earnings for multiyear deals reaching eight figures. In addition, players will receive equity in the league, similar to Unrivaled.
Seattle Storm: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Seattle basketball legend Lenny Wilkens. His legacy and impact, both on the court and throughout our community, will continue to inspire for generations. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and loved ones at this time 💚💛
The Seattle Storm, in partnership with Climate Pledge Arena, announced today that a statue honoring WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Sue Bird will be unveiled on Sunday, August 17, at 10:00 a.m. The Storm is the first franchise in WNBA history to dedicate a statue to a former player.
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Seattle Storm: Local legend @nate_robinson in the house 👋
Local legend @nate_robinson in the house 👋 pic.twitter.com/2hsZZetuQL
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) September 18, 2024
More Than a Vote, a nonprofit organization founded by LeBron James in 2020, is rebooting this fall with a new focus on women’s issues and reproductive rights. Nneka Ogwumike, a nine-time W.N.B.A. All-Star with the Seattle Storm and president of the players union, will take over James’s role in leading the organization, and has recruited a group of female athletes to her cause.
Sportico spoke to more than 30 people inside and around the WNBA over the past six weeks to gauge the value of the 12 existing franchises. In most cases, we traded candor for anonymity with bankers, investors, owners and team executives, so people could share freely on why every franchise is worth “at least $100 million” to “I would never invest in one of these teams.” The average team is worth an estimated $96 million, led by the Aces, Seattle Storm ($135 million) and New York Liberty ($130 million). The Atlanta Dream, who play in a 3,500-seat arena, represent the current floor at $55 million. The teams are collectively worth $1.16 billion, including real estate and assets related to the franchises, such as practice facilities.
Force 10 Hoops, owners of the Seattle Storm, is pleased to announce that WNBA legend Sue Bird, has joined the ownership group. Sue’s illustrious playing career spanned over 20 seasons with the Storm and included four WNBA championships, 13 All-Star Game appearances, eight All-WNBA teams, and five Olympic gold medals. “We are thrilled to welcome Sue into the ownership group after a storied career on the court,” said Seattle Storm co-owner Lisa Brummel. “Her knowledge of the game and the league, her ever-expanding business acumen, and her dedication to the Storm organization, make her a superb addition to the ownership group.”
Michael Grange: WNBA announces they will having another pre-season game in Canada, this time in Edmonton, on May 5th, featuring the LA Sparks and Kia Nurse vs. the Seattle Storm. Tickets on sale on March 20th via Ticketmaster.ca Quote from WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert: pic.twitter.com/5aoXexNSdN
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Kevin Durant is recruiting Breanna Stewart to Brooklyn. The Nets star believes it would be “an incredible dynasty” if Stewart — the 28-year-old former MVP and two-time WNBA champion — were to join the Liberty. Both teams play at Barclays Center under the ownership of businessman Joe Tsai and his wife, Clara Wu Tsai. “Stewie come here, it’s going to be ridiculous,” Durant said on the Monday episode of his “The ETCs” podcast — which came the day after Stewart reportedly narrowed down her options to the Seattle Storm or the Liberty. Stewart has been with the Storm since they selected her with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft. “I hit Stewie [Breanna Stewart] the other day, and I never do this, and was like, ‘Yo, it would be an incredible dynasty in New York City if you came here.’ “I don’t think she’s seen it yet,” Durant said, adding that the Liberty are “cooking up” after acquiring former MVP Jonquel Jones in a three-team trade this month.
Joakim Noah, like his father, is now a winner on the clay at Roland Garros. The former Chicago Bulls center teamed with Gabby Williams of the WNBA's Seattle Storm to beat former Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton and Spanish tennis player David Ferrer in a basketball game on the famed clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier on Wednesday night.
Fox is hoping to lead the resurgent Kings back to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years and become a first-time NBA All-Star this season. Fox’s wife was also an outstanding basketball player in her own right. Formerly Recee Caldwell, she was a former McDonald’s All-American like her husband; played college basketball for UCLA, Texas Tech, and Cal-Berkeley before going to training camp with the WNBA Seattle Storm; and was a player development intern for the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors. The Foxes have another basketball player on the way, as they are expecting their first child together in February.
The WNBA playoffs have practically been an infomercial for Becky Hammon’s brilliance as a head coach. She has the Aces two wins away from their first WNBA championship going into Tuesday night’s game against the Connecticut Sun. Her in-game decisions have been flawless – if you want to know how to run plays out of a timeout, go back and watch the end of Game 3 of the semifinals against the Seattle Storm – and no less than LeBron James has taken notice. Impressive as Hammon has been, however, it raises a question: What the hell were the Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic doing in passing her by? And what’s the excuse for all the other sad-sack NBA teams that didn’t even bring her in for an interview? “I have not,” Aces owner Mark Davis told USA TODAY Sports when asked whether he’s heard from any jealous NBA owners. “But I’m sure they’re sitting there thinking, 'Hmm, why didn’t I think of that?’ ”