WNBA team would be a win for Tulsa News Milwaukee Bucks

Tulsa will soon have the opportunity to host its own Women's National Basketball Association team. This sports franchise will bring much more than major league quality entertainment, it will spur the local economy, create new jobs, boost local tax revenue, and improve the quality of life in the metro area. Though the full benefit may be difficult to measure, the contribution of a sports franchise in Tulsa may exceed our expectations, in terms of improving our status as a progressive city. The year Lee and I were engaged was his first year playing in the NBA .

He was drafted in 1992, right out of college, and we moved to Milwaukee, Wis., so he could play for the Bucks. He played in the NBA for eight years; we were in Milwaukee for four, Vancouver for three, and then he was traded to Orlando but had knee surgery and retired. As the mother of a few Basketball-playing girls, I can add a personal note to the effect a WNBA presence in Tulsa could have as the team members become role models. As early as first or second grade, our oldest daughter, Taleya, was expressing an interest in Basketball. I can see a natural talent in all of our girls, but she and my 14-year-old are the two who had the opportunity to see their dad play in the NBA . One summer, Lee put her on an Amateur Athletic Union team, and Taleya could barely sleep the night before her games because she was so excited. Once she got involved with AAU, there was no turning back. Now, she's at the University of Tulsa on a four-year Basketball scholarship, thanks to hard work and her role models. So between my other four daughters and all the rest of the young ladies in Tulsa who want to play, this WNBA team will inspire them. These girls may one day play professional ball right here in Tulsa, among their friends and family. To be able to see some of the bigger teams come in and compete would be wonderful. Think about it: Ten to 15 years ago, women were not even recognized in the NBA , and now they are. This would open up another opportunity for women in Tulsa to be involved, like never before. In the NBA , the wives of the players have a group that is in charge of many of the philanthropic efforts for the team. In Milwaukee, I was the spokeswoman for the Milwaukee Bucks Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, and every year the team raised money for breast cancer research. In Vancouver, I served as president of the wives' group. As a committee this group was responsible for raising funds for charitable giving. During my term we had a huge toy drive, with the players, and raised money for the local domestic violence shelters. Because of the efforts of the team and the community, all of the children in those shelters were blessed with an unforgettable Christmas. As a member of the Grizzlies Foundation Board, we hosted three annual events that would put money back into the community organizations that supported children. I was really impressed with how the players responded positively when they were called upon to serve in the community. This is what the NBA does it gives back. The NBA and WNBA are very instrumental in their home base communities. This could be unifying for our city, an opportunity to connect. How wonderful this could be for Tulsa! Add this to our resources (the BOK Center, our extensive youth league, the fact that we've generated at least five NBA players over the last 10 years) and it seems like a perfect fit. Getting a team and keeping it here will be a big investment, but once we do, that love and support for the community will come right back. This opportunity would provide many positive things for Tulsa, new elements that would only improve our city's standing as a place of excellence. It will be a win for Tulsa. Let's do it! Marla Mayberry is a native Tulsan, president of the Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League and married to former NBA player Lee Mayberry.