Sky F Elena Delle Donne would like to see the rim lowered from the current height of 10 feet to "further set the WNBA apart from the NBA," according to Charles Curtis of USA TODAY. She said, “It would bring a whole different aspect to the game and bring viewership as well and show the athleticism of our women. We do every single thing on that court that the men do, other than the dunking. And, obviously, there is a handful of athletes who can dunk.” She added, “Look at other sports like volleyball, their net’s lower. Golf, their tees are closer. It goes on and on. Tennis, they play (fewer) sets. Why not lower our rim and let every single player player in the league play above the rim like the NBA can?” Delle Donne noted UConn coach Geno Auriemma "has long been a proponent of the idea for the college game" (USATODAY.com, 3/17).
ADDED EXPOSURE: The NCAA women's basketball tournament begins Friday and the WNBA begins its 20th season in May, and in N.Y., Seth Berkman writes women’s basketball is "entering a pivotal time to entice a national audience." UConn is trying to become the first D-I women’s team to "capture four straight national titles," and the WNBA, under guidance from new President Lisa Borders, will "look to capitalize on interest emanating" from the Rio Games. In a season in which UConn and F Breanna Stewart "have driven coverage, there is likely to be more interest than usual in the women’s tournament." But next season and beyond, the sport "will have to find ways to maintain and extend its audience." Stewart said that she "thought the more universal system of four quarters -- which is the system the WNBA and international competitions use -- could help bring in more fans who watch only one level of women’s basketball." Berkman notes there is hope in the WNBA that the "drama of two rounds of sudden-death playoff games will create intrigue." ESPN "in response to dwindling viewership numbers," will "televise every WNBA playoff game live for the first time this year" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/18).
