Rec’ing on…WNBA in ABQ REQ

It’s no secret that I love women’s basketball. Back in 2004, I was part of a group that was mounting a serious bid to bring a WNBA franchise to Albuquerque. We met with local and state officials up to and including Governor Richardson. Unfortunately, that attempt blew apart at the n-th hour.

I think the time is ripe to try again. Over the past few months, I’ve been in contact with government officials who’ve told me that they don’t know or, or can confirm the existence of, any individual or group currently putting together a bid. I’d like to change that.

I think the time is ripe to try again. Over the past few months, I’ve been in contact with government officials who’ve told me that they don’t know of, or are willing to confirm the existence of, any individual or group currently putting together a bid. I’d like to change that.

It currently costs $10 million to buy into the WNBA (same as in 2004). There’s more to it than just money, of course, but without that, the rest is just an exercise. Having not won Lotto, I don’t happen to have that kind of cash just lying around (believe me…if I had it, I’d use it). What I do have is drive, passion, and the confidence that given a new opportunity, I can make this happen. Though I often like to "lone wolf" these sorts of things, I’m experienced enough to know that help is often better. I’m not asking for money or contributions (though if you have a few million burning a hole in your pocket, I would really love to talk to you). What I am asking for are leads.

One of the most difficult parts of putting together something like this is getting the right people together. While the money is important, it’s more important that all the elements have the same goals and that everyone is OK with their place in the organization. It’s unrealistic to expect that there will be one angel out there willing to jump in by themselves, though that would make it easy. WNBA history has shown that when people come together in common cause, good things are possible.

So…my request. People know people who know people and so on. It’s the six-degrees of separation theory. With the power of the Internet, that should really come to the fore. I’m asking you to look around at the people you know, no matter how peripherally. Might they be interested in being part of the WNBA? These could be individuals, groups, tribes…the who doesn’t so much matter as the passion and the funding. My goal is the WNBA in Albuquerque, and I’m not losing sight of that.

What’s in it for you? No idea. At the moment all I can offer you for certain is thanks. What’s in it for me? If successful, a WNBA team in Albuquerque. It would be nice to also have a life-time season ticket package for putting this together, or maybe something more resume-worthy, but those are not the goal. If I learned anything the first time around it’s that if people lose their focus, and instead look to anticipated rewards, then success becomes harder to reach.

I will continue working the phone, mail, and ‘net regardless of what happens here. Even so, I will appreciate any help. Any leads you have can be forwarded to wnba-abq-req at cjcs dot com*. If you rather they contact me rather than me contact them, then feel free to forward my email address. This address can also be used if you need any further information.

Thanks in advance,

* Address symbols removed to mitigate address mining, so you’ll have to reconstruct that email address manually. My apologies.