http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/deadspin.com.png http://deadspin.com/tag/wnba http://deadspin.com/tag/wnba

The Minnesota Lynx won the 2011 WNBA championship today, after defeating the Atlanta Dream, 73-67, for a three-game sweep in the finals. They were feted by a parade in downtown Minneapolis this afternoon: 15,000 fans came out to Nicollet Mall, and 4,500 more joined the team at the Target Center. All of the details, peppered with the usual sad twinge that comes with WNBA reporting, from the Star-Tribune: More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5848866&view=rss&microfeed=true

That's praise on your work ethic from a three-time MVP, T.O. She has two championships. Why can't the girl get an RT? [Twitter] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5835976&view=rss&microfeed=true

The long-suffering Tulsa Shock are now suffering just a little bit less! Since we checked in with them on Friday—when they seemed on track to surpass the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the worst losing streak in NBA/WNBA history—the Shock have tripled their win count for the season. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5835462&view=rss&microfeed=true

Last night, the Tulsa Shock lost to the Seattle Storm, 74-57. It was their 20th consecutive defeat. Like UConn as it closed in on UCLA's record college-basketball winning streak, the WNBA team is within reach of the longest losing streak in NBA history, 26 games, set by the 2010-11 New Jersey Nets Cleveland Cavaliers. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5834323&view=rss&microfeed=true

Boost Mobile signed a huge multiyear sponsorship deal with the WNBA this morning, and it's not like other American sport sponsorships. Boost won't just have their name on courtside advertisements or all-star weekend programming. They'll have their logo plastered on the front of every WNBA jersey, save the two teams that already have mobile deals. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5833164&view=rss&microfeed=true

Your morning roundup for July 23, the day after we learned that high-school tennis coaches really might want to stay away from strip-club ownership. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5823996&view=rss&microfeed=true

Kristi Toliver of the L.A. Sparks delivered an elbow square to Ketia Swanier's head last night that left the Phoenix guard writhing on the ground with blood leaking out of her left eyeball. Sorry to be graphic; it's just accurate. The play earned Toliver a flagrant foul, and Sparks assistant Joe Bryant — yes, that's Jellybean — picked up a technical arguing the call. Swanier, for her part, has seen better days out of her left eye: More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5818557&view=rss&microfeed=true

The 2011 WNBA draft, held at 3 p.m. on a Monday, is now wrapping up. No shockers here: the Minnesota Lynx selected UConn's Maya Moore (projected during the draft to be the league MVP) with the first pick, 6'8" Australian Elizabeth Cambage was second overall and will play for Tulsa, and Courtney Vandersloot went to Chicago with the third pick. View the rest of the picks here, or just giggle a little bit with us at this view of ESPN's "Family & Friends Room" in Bristol, which may have worse ambiance than the continental breakfast room at your local Best Western and less space than Lynn Hoppes's office down the hall. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5791012&view=rss&microfeed=true

Sheryl Swoopes retired from the WNBA in 2008 after averaging 7 and 4 for the Seattle Storm, her worst such figures as a pro. As of 2005, Swoopes endorsed lesbian cruise line Olivia, so presumably she redeemed some vouchers to travel to Greece last year. There she played for Ravenna Esperides, alongside such luminaries as Thea Paschopoulou and Dora Matrogiannidou. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5786437&view=rss&microfeed=true

Cappie Pondexter knows God has a plan. And that his plan involved punishing Japan for Pearl Harbor, with an earthquake and tsunami 70 years later. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5781753&view=rss&microfeed=true

Former UConn standout and current WNBA star Diana Taurasi was suspended from her Turkish team after testing positive for a banned substance, reported to be a stimulant. This has nothing to do with Geno Auriemma. I'm sure he'll be brought up anyway. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5717623&view=rss&microfeed=true

The NBA's lady auxiliary sneaked in Game 1 of its Finals on Sunday so we decided to collect some of the "best" "moments" from the "game" and set them to a "classic" Herb Alpert tune. "Enjoy." More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5637939&view=rss&microfeed=true

The NBA's ladies auxiliary is in its playoffs, and yesterday the team from Atlanta clinched a berth in the finals by beating the one from New York. So here are some condescendingly packaged highlights of the little ladies scampering around the hardwood. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5633009&view=rss&microfeed=true

Phoenix Mercury vet DeWanna Bonner—who could probably take anyone on staff here in a game of Horse or 1-on-1, but not knockout, never knockout—has a name that begs to be said aloud in a bad Jamaican accent. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5594131&view=rss&microfeed=true

"The Mercury turned the Tulsa Shock's "40 minutes of Hell" into 40 minutes of fun. Just ask the 6,580 who witnessed the Mercury set a WNBA record for points in a game in a 116-84 win Saturday night." [Arizona Republic] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5562835&view=rss&microfeed=true

As his first act as owner of the Wizards (and the Verizon Center), Leonsis will take down the Washington Mystics' attendance banners. All the Mystics fans will be chartering a single Volkswagen Golf to drive to the protest. [Ted's Take] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5533792&view=rss&microfeed=true

Two Shock stars, fresh from signing contract extensions, have made it known they have no intention of joining the team in making the move to Tulsa. Apparently death was not an option. [AP] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5468199&view=rss&microfeed=true

You can't fault David Stern's Machiavellian labor-negotiating skills. Even though we're two years away from him pulling a Gary Bettman, he's already tossing throwaway bombs, like this one launched into the lap of SI's Ian Thomsen: Chicks in the NBA! More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5419667&view=rss&microfeed=true

If future Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov ever invites you to watch a game in the owner's box, don't accept. Not only will you be stuck watching the Nets, there's a decent chance you'll be caught up in an assassination attempt. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5395957&view=rss&microfeed=true

First, three runners die during yesterday's marathon. Now, the WNBA's Shock are leaving for Tulsa. How da' fuck we sposed to keep peace? [DetroitNews] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5384992&view=rss&microfeed=true

Because no one reads the newspaper, and SportsCenter's anchors are too perky for this early in the morning, Deadspin combs the best of the broadsheets and the blogosphere to bring you everything you need to know to start your day. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5376853&view=rss&microfeed=true

Yes, I know we're getting a little women's basketball-y tonight. But it's the first game of the WNBA Finals! See that packed house in Phoenix? Here's a tip: a lot of those people aren't exactly paying customers. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5370626&view=rss&microfeed=true

Life is all about priorities, compromises and compromising priorities, which is why the WNBA's Atlanta Dream — ever heard of 'em? — may not be able to play at home if they make the playoffs. They're being bumped by puppets. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5348400&view=rss&microfeed=true

The WNBA actually backloaded L.A.'s schedule to accommodate Candace Parker's maternity leave; the Sparks have played 5 fewer games than any other team. I only noticed this while playing Streak For The Cash, I swear. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5328221&view=rss&microfeed=true

In welcoming your WNBA world champions to his home, the First Bulls Fan lamented congratulating former-and-forever Piston Bill Laimbeer — controversy! scandal! developing! — so Laimbeer will probably be back next week to resolve the conflict over beers. [CBS] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5324580&view=rss&microfeed=true

It's a busy time in our nation's capital these days, and there are some burning questions that need answering. Like, "Why don't they have a KissCam at Mystics games?" More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5323733&view=rss&microfeed=true

Clear out, everyone, because it's time for Sylvia Fowles to dunk in the WNBA All-Star Game! OK, so she missed the first time. Here, try again. And... yippee! To think, they say All-Star Game defense is a lost art. [ESPN] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5323233&view=rss&microfeed=true

Cokie Roberts, yayo-monikered political commentator and witless conventional-wisdom dispenser, is getting the WNBA Inspiration Award, which speaks volumes about the towering lameness of the WNBA. She is, as Cokie herself might say, an interesting choice. [MediaBistro] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5316057&view=rss&microfeed=true

So says the Phoenix PD. The Mercury guard blew a .17 and was going 55 in a 35 on the night she was pinched. She's pleading not guilty to any and all "extreme" DUI charges. [SI/AP] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5315163&view=rss&microfeed=true

The Superstars was only an hour this week! (Stupid Michael Jackson tributes.) But could they pack 90 minutes of excitement into just one tiny action-packed primetime block? Who likes missed lay-ups? More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5309966&view=rss&microfeed=true

Parker returned yesterday against the Mercury, and once again sportswriters found themselves talking about her boobs: "Just before the game, Parker had to pump breastmilk in the locker room for her daughter's post-game feeding." [LA Daily News] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5308300&view=rss&microfeed=true

The Mercury's Diana Taurasi was cited Thursday night in Phoenix, a few hours after her team's win over the Seattle Lone Professional Basketball Franchises. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5307421&view=rss&microfeed=true

A Game 7 loss, a series dropped to the Pirates, now Bill Laimbeer—the greatest coach in WNBA history!—is stepping down. He will be replaced by Rick Mahorn, who will eventually be replaced by Chuck Nevitt. [Free Press] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5292592&view=rss&microfeed=true

In a move to Europeanize America, the Phoenix Mercury will no longer have the team or city name on their jerseys after striking a deal with LifeLock, an identity theft protection firm. Hey, that's ironic! The WNBA President calls it "innovation." More like "doing anything to not go under." [NYT] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5274010&view=rss&microfeed=true

On meeting Barack Obama: " [I] was truly feeling like a kid at a concert who got touched by Michael Jackson back in the day." James Parr agrees. [Sports Pros (e)] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5169539&view=rss&microfeed=true

I don't want to tell the WNBA how to run their offseason training programs, but Canadce Parker might want to think about cutting back on the carbs. [BlackSportsOnline] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5169054&view=rss&microfeed=true

They claim she won't be playing this season while she awaits her new baby. In case This is true.Please send your condolences to this heartbroken commenter. [FIBA] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5125605&view=rss&microfeed=true

There are many ways to remember the Houston Comets, one of the original WNBA franchises which announced on Monday that it was being disbanded. The sister team of the Houston Rockets won the first four WNBA championships, once included the league's first MVP, Cynthia Cooper, and had on its roster last season Tennessee's Michelle Snow, only the third woman in NCAA history to dunk in a game. But I will always remember the Comets as the franchise that gave us the Jam Cam, which on one magical evening electrified the crowd, and then all of America, with the sweet dance moves of Comet Boy (relive the magic in the video below). More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5100726&view=rss&microfeed=true

Candace Parker took home the WNBA MVP award on Friday, making her the first player to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Add that to a list of credits that include College Player of the Year, a national college championship, and an Olympic gold medal. I'd say she's doing alright. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5059054&view=rss&microfeed=true

If you're the kind of person who pays attention to such things, you may have noticed that the Detroit Shock will not be playing their WNBA Finals games in Detroit or Auburn Hills or any place else within the I-275 belt. Instead, their playoffs are being held in beautiful and spacious Ypsilanti, Michigan, on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. As you can imagine, the chance to crown a world champion right there in their sleepy little burg has the entire town jumping for joy, especially Mayor Paul Schreiber. "What?" he excitedly replied. “That's news to me.” More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5058859&view=rss&microfeed=true