With more women being a part of the National Basketball Association (NBA), this is becoming the new normal. I once read an article that stated, "More women are involved on the sidelines." We are indeed not on the sidelines, but on the front lines of the NBA. Lindsay Harding, P.J Dozier, Becky Hammon, and Jenny Boucek are just some of the names who are now on the NBA staff.
Traditionally the NBA has been coined as the "good ol boys club", but with more women breaking that stigma, there could possibly be a record eight women in on-court coaching roles this upcoming NBA season, with 18 more holding basketball operations positions in front offices. Currently, six women hold controlling or significant ownership stakes in teams.
“I don’t want to be known for my gender or the fact that I’m a mother," Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Jenny Boucek said. “I want to earn my way as a coach and not be given any special treatment or different treatment. I just want to be a great coach and be valued for that.”
Prior to Becky Hammon, there was Nancy Lieberman. Growing up, I admired Lieberman. She was witty and could commentate a basketball game better than any male commentator. Lieberman, nicknamed "Lady Magic," is a former professional basketball player and coach in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played at Old Dominion University from 1976-1980. During her time, she won two consecutive AIAW National Championships and one WNIT Championship. After college, Lieberman played for the Los Angeles Lakers Summer Pro League team as well as the Dallas Diamonds.
I remember in July 2008, at 50 years old, Lieberman signed a seven-day contract with the Detroit Shock. A spot opened up for Lieberman when standout forward Cheryl Ford suffered a season-ending knee injury. She played one game and the Shock defeated the Shock 79-61. In 2009, she became the coach of the Texas Legends in the NBA Development League, an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, thus becoming the first woman to coach a professional men's team. Today, you'll find Lieberman broadcasting multiple NBA and WNBA games.
While 30% of the NBA's coaching staff is women, some notable women's college coaches hope that the women’s game will not be forgotten when the men’s game opens its doors wider. I believe that this will not be the case, I believe this will only expose the greatest that women have to offer in women's college sports and throughout the WNBA.
Lebron James once said, " Knowing basketball is what matters, and these women could definitely do the job."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silber wants more women coaches and referees as well in the NBA. The NBA and it's partner the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) are currently developing a plan to diversify the coaching pool. They are offering coaches summits and focusing on developing good talent to funnel the player to coaches pipeline. But when these women make it on the NBA coaches list, are their salaries comparable to their counterparts?
Come back next week as I discuss more about the pay gap.
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