![]() Smith would produce one of the best careers in WNBA history. "We took a lot of pride in how we went about our business and how we played." we went out every night and really competed, we knew our margin for error was so small," Smith said. "Being there initially and the hype and the fans and Glen getting on board early and being one of those pioneers of the WNBA. Smith joined the club in 1999 after the ABL, a different professional league that was founded in 1996, folded and the Lynx were awarded an expansion franchise. Now the associate head coach, she was also the team's first star. Katie Smith has been around the Lynx since their inception. yes, I'm proud of winning four champions in seven years, of being a dynasty, but I am more proud of the work we have done off the court." "It's inspiring future generations, it's inspiring action to speak up and be unapologetic, and to change the world. "People don't always think of sports being bigger than sports and bigger than wins and losses, but for us it's why we do what we do," said Carley Knox, the Lynx president of business operations. ![]() It is in this idea that a sports team can promote social activism while also being valued that the Lynx see a cornerstone of their identity after 25 years. Reeve pointed to the recent news that the Seattle Storm were valued at a league-record $151 million and to a $75 million funding round by the WNBA in 2022 as markers of even more room for growth. "What I wanted more than anything was for investment to turn into not a charity, not because it's the right thing to do, but because it's great for business." "I said when I was hired that I wanted in the worst way that my success was not going to be wins and losses," Reeve recalled. Just as importantly, they have done that while building one of the top fan bases in the WNBA. They cultivated a team where players, executives and coaches can fight for causes like racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights. It was in that space that the Lynx flourished. "So what you develop, I know for me that when you get to a certain age, your level of care of being cautious goes out the window." Not being able to practice in certain places or at certain times. I had seen times that we were treated just awfully by the owner that owned the team. "There weren't a lot of people, be it coaches or executives, doing what did. "When I think about the early years, there wasn't a safe space," said Reeve, who is also the team's president of basketball operations. ![]()
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