The Australian WNBL is about to receive a boost by way of one of the WNBA’s greatest players.
Lauren Jackson, who had an illustrious career both in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm, as well as around the world, has signed on to become the new commercial operations manager for the Melbourne Boomers WNBL team. She will also sit on the organization’s board.
She will begin her role with the team after serving on commentary for an Australian television station for the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Jackson told a Melbourne radio station that she believed her time as a basketball player set herself up well to take on an executive position.
“Because I’ve been around basketball so long, I’ve had to negotiate so many contracts, I’ve had to work with so many different people,” she said.
She also feels she is more suitable for a business role rather than a coaching role because she says she does not possess the attributes of a coach.
“I guess my personality fits more in an executive role rather than being out there on the front lines with the girls,” Jackson said. “I loved being an athlete. It was the love of my life. But, now it’s over. It’s time to move on and take a back seat—get what I can get done in the back office.”
Both the team and the league have had its woes as of late, but having a legend like Lauren Jackson on board will hopefully be the start of a turnaround for women’s basketball in Australia.
(Original Interview: SEN 1116 Melbourne)
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
