Adam Silver talks CBA, WNBA presidency search, Liberty with ESPNW’s Mechelle Voepel

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WNBA fans would like to see more than simply lip service on the subject of the NBA’s backing of the W.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver sat down with ESPNW’s Mechelle Voepel and reiterated that its support of the WNBA is unwavering and that he was not disappointed when the players opted out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement at the beginning of the month.

And in a way, the silver lining of them opting out is now, given that [former WNBA president Lisa Borders] left when she did, my sense from talking to players and listening to what they’re saying publicly is that we seem to be missing a connection, a real engagement between the players and the league.

He acknowledged that compensation was an issue on the table, but that the players have also brought up issues in terms of how the WNBA is marketed as well as working conditions.

Along with the top ticket item on the wish list of many a WNBA fan – a new and fairer CBA – he also mentioned a bit about its find for a new president to replace Lisa Borders, who now leads the Time’s Up organization.

He said he had been approached by interested candidates and that making sure they are vetted the right way is key.

The quality of the basketball is now head and shoulders better than it was when we launched the league. The hardest thing would be if you had to fix the product; I don’t think there’s any fixing needed here. We have a wonderful game.

The question is fixing sales and marketing. How do we do a better job connecting with corporations and convincing them to support the league?

One solution many WNBA fans may have is to ensure that every arena that houses a franchise is as accessible as possible to as many fans as possible. Ever since the New York Liberty were relocated to the Westchester County Center, this has been a main course item on the brains of many a W aficionado.

Not much news has been put out there regarding the Libs’ impending sale from MSG given that any and all suitors are operating under non-disclosure agreements. Silver did say that talks were ongoing.

We are engaged in some constructive conversations with some potential buyers in the New York market.

And while it is difficult in this market, because of the dearth of midsized buildings, we think we can continue to operate for some time at the Westchester County Center and that, over time, there will be some other potential venues that could house the Liberty.