Stable and calm, WNBA finds itself in a 'nice place' and looks for ways to keep growing

NEW YORK — WNBA President Laurel Richie was all smiles after the annual Board of Governors meetings this week.

It's hard to blame her.

The league has labor stability after a six-year collective bargaining agreement was ratified in March. The WNBA also is in the midst of a long-term television deal with ESPN for the next decade.

"There was a lot of talk about momentum, and what's the next phase, how do we accelerate our growth?" Richie said in an interview with The Associated Press. "The 2016 season will be our 20th season, and how do we want to mark and acknowledge that? There was great energy."

Washington Mystics general manager and coach Mike Thibault echoed Richie's sentiments.

"Our league's in a very calm situation," he said. "We're not asking every day what's next? I think we are trying to find ways to keep growing the league. That's the emphasis at a lot of these meetings right now. We're not in any way shape or form living day to day. We have stability. It's a nice place to be in right now."

With stability comes talk of expansion. Richie reiterated what she's been saying for the past year — the league is always thinking about expanding.

Five teams are profitable, according to the WNBA president, and a few others are very close to breaking even.

"I think we've seen great progress and those who are not yet profitable we see that gap getting smaller," she said.

Six teams were in the black in 2013. One team that hasn't been profitable either year was the Los Angeles Sparks. But Richie has utmost confidence that the new ownership group, led by Magic Johnson, will turn things around.

"They got a late jump last year and I know they are already making a big difference," she said.

Los Angeles and New York are looking to hire new coaches and both teams expect the process to be completed soon.

"It gives our teams more of a chance to sell tickets and let our fans know when the games will be," she said.

Games will start June 5 — three weeks later than last season.