Study targets Tulsa's interest in WNBA franchise
BY LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
7/22/08 at 3:19 AM
Survey to measure local companies' sponsorship interest.
A study is under way to gauge interest in the potential expansion of the Women's National Basketball Association to Tulsa.
CSL International asked the Tulsa Metro Chamber to promote the survey, said Sheila Curley, chamber vice president of communications.
"We are not in direct contact with a WNBA franchise owner, however the chamber is very supportive of Oklahoma's new NBA team and the exciting possibilities it opens to the Tulsa region," Curley said.
The survey's purpose is to ascertain the level of interest in sponsorship by local corporations.
CSL spokesman Jeff Patterson said the organization was asked to conduct a survey but declined to comment on who asked for it.
When questioned whether the survey was prompted by the recent announcement that Oklahoma City had secured an NBA franchise, Patterson said he had no additional information.
The WNBA has 14 franchises, including two in Texas — the Houston Comets and the San Antonio Silver Stars.
The league's season runs from May through September.
Clay Bennett, owner of the new Oklahoma City NBA franchise, sold the Seattle Storm to a group of investors in Seattle.
But since Oklahoma City landed its NBA team, there has reportedly been interest to land a WNBA franchise in Tulsa.
To take the survey, visit tulsaworld.com/wnbasurvey.
Lynn Jacobsen 581-8461
lynn.jacobsen@tulsaworld.com
