WNBA President Richie on her job, league, and favorite ESPN show

Laurel Richie’s career has been filled with unique opportunities and challenges, but none that compare to her current role as president of the WNBA. With just more than a year under her belt, Ms. Richie shares her insight with Front Row including thoughts on the upcoming WNBA playoffs and her unyielding interest in SportsCenter.

You came from Girl Scouts of America to the WNBA — what has been the biggest change over the last year?
I think the biggest difference is the Girl Scouts was overwhelming female in terms of staffing and the NBA is much more balanced male/female. I think another difference is the non-profit sector is a very unique animal that I would characterize as a consensus model and the sports industry — and more specifically the WNBA — as highly matrixed. Both require influencing skills and collaboration but are slightly different in how decisions are made. As a result, the pace of things at the WNBA is much faster than the pace in the non-profit sector.

ESPN and the WNBA have had a relationship since the start of the league. How do you see that continuing?
We are really proud of our partnership with ESPN. The carriage of our games and coverage of our league, teams and players by the leading sports platform, I would say, in the world is critical to our continued success.

What can the viewer’s expect to see during the second half of the WNBA season?
We’ll see who will make the playoffs. Minneapolis has been doing a terrific job. It’s going to be interesting to see if San Antonio, on an incredible run before the Olympic break, can continue. Chicago made some interesting changes to their roster this year. If they make the playoffs, they’ll have Ruth Riley and Swin Cash, who know what it takes to win a championship. Connecticut was having a great run; you never rule Indiana out or Los Angeles — with Candace Parker being healthy and Nneka Ogwumike (2012 first draft pick). I don’t think there are any givens, which just makes it more fun to watch.

Besides the WNBA, what else do you watch on ESPN?
SportsCenter – I’m a junkie. I need to get my fix every day.

What show would you like to host?
I would love to be a guest host on SportsCenter!