As if the WNBA didn't have enough publicity problems

I came across a story from Uni Watch about how the “WNBA was becoming the McNBA”, in their words. That’s all it pretty much said, so I went to check it out because I thought there’s no way they’re going to change the name of the league—especially to that. I was right; it turns out they’re still the WNBA. But what Paul Lukas called “a joke” was referring to the new marketing campaign between the WNBA and McDonalds where all the uniforms for the first game of the season will have a golden arches patch on them.

While that’s an abomination to the people at Uni Watch (and for good reason), that’s not the funniest thing about the campaign to me. I kept reading, and came across this nice tidbit:

WNBA stars, including Los Angeles Sparks star Lisa Leslie, the Detroit Shock’s Cheryl Ford and Seattle’s Sheryl Swopes be among the players serving a new Southern Style Chicken Biscuit and Sandwich from McDonald’s in pre-season personal appearances at restaurant locations today.

Like I said, as if the WNBA doesn’t have enough publicity problems, this sounds like a stunt most minor league teams would pull. I don’t think you’d ever see Tony Parker shelling out Wendy’s .99 cent chicken nuggets or Kobe Bryant handing you your order of Jack in the Box tacos.

Soundtrack to this Post

John Farnham—You’re the Voice

[audio:yourethevoice.mp3]