With members of the LSU National Championship team being waived recently by the WNBA teams that drafted them last month, the university’s president is calling for a change in the organization.
“Suboptimal” is how LSU President William F. Tate IV described the WNBA’s business model. Tate shared his thoughts on social media after several former players for his school’s women’s basketball team and former players for other teams were cut.
One of the most recent cuts featured a member of LSU’s championship opponent, as the Los Angeles Sparks announced Monday that they were releasing former Iowa starter Monika Czinano.
“Remained quiet when my students were released. No claim of sour grapes here…but the @wnba business model is suboptimal,” Tate tweeted. “Players are better served in college or with other transparent options to aspire. I hope this market learns to tap into the passion of college WBB.”
The students he referred to were former LSU starters LahDazhia Williams and Alexis Morris were also waived from the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun, respectively, almost a month after being selected in the second round of the WNBA draft.
Another cut included South Carolina point guard Destanni Henderson, who was also released from the Indiana Fever.
Tate responded to Henderson being waived, saying that the WNBA needs to rethink its business model to include “player growth,” like the college game has.
“This is inconsistent with building brand and followers,” Tate tweeted. “She is one… of the best to do it. Wish her well. Her talent warrants new options. You can not cut your way to greatness.”
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