WNBA in St. Louis: Why It's A Good Fit

A few weeks ago, my computer was out of commission. I had to resort to other things to occupy (and waste) my time. I was channel-surfing, and I stumbled across ESPN Classic. Up until this point, the only interesting thing I ever saw from this channel was a mini-documentary about how Wayne Gretzky's presence significantly influenced hockey interest in California, and all across the American south.

The second program I ever watched on ESPN Classic was a game I haven't watched since I was a boy. 1995. Chicago Bulls at the Dallas Mavericks. Michael Jordan vs Jason Kidd. But mostly, in my case, Michael Jordan, the man I idolized as a child. I loved MJ, I loved the Bulls, I just loved basketball period. Watching this game seriously brought back memories for me. I've had my nostalgic moments, but this one was one of the biggest. Watching the old Bulls crew again, Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Harper, Kukoc, and the rest, doing their thing. The only thing missing was the epic introductions that got me fired up before every home game.

I followed the Chicago Bulls as closely as a 6-year-old kid could, back in the day. I watched every piece of Bulls basketball I could. I had Jordan and Pippen jerseys. I watched Space Jam, a lot. I even followed the WNBA for a short time (which I continued just last year, but I'll get back to that). Basically my life was basketball.
Them Mr. Jordan left. The game was never the same. Basketball started getting phased out of my life, making way for other sports, like hockey, football, baseball, boxing, the Olympics. You know, sports I could follow more effectively since St. Louis had those teams. I became a fan of the Cardinals, Rams, and most of all, the Blues. Basketball, for the most part, no longer took up a part of my Ruskie-Polack heart.

Just before the 2009 WNBA season, I came across an article in Sports Illustrated, about then-ex-WNBA'er Chamique Holdsclaw. It mentioned she retired because of severe depression. I can relate, I've been known to get depressed a lot myself. She was making a return that year, so I decided to follow her and show some support. Next thing you know, I'm a fan of the WNBA, Atlanta Dream, Chamique Holdsclaw, and women's basketball. It's very underrated, and deserves way more respect and recogniton it gets now.

So after a little over a year of following and supporting WNBA and Atlanta Dream basketball, it hit me like a slippery fish: this is exactly what the city of St. Louis could use.

A WNBA franchise in St. Louis would mean the revival of professional basketball in the city. 1976 was the last time a pro game was played here, as the ABA's Spirits of St. Louis exited the 75-76 season without a playoff berth, and made plans to pack their bags to play in Salt Lake City, Utah.
There was also the NBA's St. louis Bombers, established in 1946, and folding in 1950.

I realize I just referenced two professional men's franchises in what's supposed to be about women's basketball. Well, the WNBA is professional too.
Attendance for the Bombers and Spirits weren't very impressive, but times have changed. The Scottrade Center holds 19,150 people, and could benefit from additional operation time during the WNBA season. Given the WNBA's attendance figures, not every seat would be likely to be filled. But basketball isn't exactly a forgotten gem in this city. The Mizzou and SLU basketball programs have their followers. And in high school, basketball is just a step below football in popularity. Missouri's poll numbers on ESPN.com are actually higher than some stated with NBA/WNBA franchises, such as Louisiana. A franchise in the Gateway city surely wouldn't be ignored.

The NBA doesn't appear ready to expand anytime soon, and if they were, I'm sure St. Louis wouldn't be very prominent on their radar, but I could be wrong. I am a lot. However, the WNBA might be a little friendlier.

Donna Orender, the next time a team is relocated, or you expand, St. Louis should be high-ranking on your list of possible markets. The Scottrade Center doesn't get much use during WNBA season, and it'd be much less of an issue than with the NBA, since their season clashes with the NHL frequently. The WNBA in St. Louis would indeed be a perfect fit.


I will shortly crate another blog, tracking basketball in St. Louis, including any opportunities that could arise for a professional basketball franchise to come to St. Louis.