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Two leagues of their own
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October 24, 1996: 10:25 a.m. ET
Women's basketball has two leagues, but can both keep on shooting?
From Correspondent Sean Callebs
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - With two basketball leagues of their own in the United States, the best women hoopsters no longer have to look overseas to play professionally.
The American Basketball League and the Women's National Basketball League are in competition for the top players, corporate sponsors, and money from fans.
So while the best women players united for the gold medal at this year's Olympic Games, they are being split by the two professional leagues. (792K QuickTime movie)
The WNBA has signed stars Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoops and its president, Val Ackerman, believes the talent and sponsor pool is deep enough for two leagues. (121K WAV) or (121K AIFF)
It helps that the leagues will not play at the same times. The newly-formed WNBA, which will be aired on NBC and ESPN, plays from June through August; the ABL's season runs from October through February.
The WNBA has not determined the number of teams or where they will play. The ABL is up and dribbling in cities like San Jose, Calif., Columbus, Ohio, and Richmond, Va.
"We are talking markets that really wanted women's basketball, (835K QuickTime movie) people that loved the game and requested we come to these cities," said Teresa Edwards of the ABL's Atlanta Glory.
"We didn't have to go in there banging saying 'We're coming. Accept us or not.' "
Nearly two-thirds of the women's 1996 Olympic team play in the ABL. Their combined drawing power helped secure a television contract with the SportsChannel and a Reebok sponsorship.
Jo Harlow, head of U.S. brand marketing for Reebok, sees great potential in teaming up with the ABL. (110K WAV) or (110K AIFF)
Other sports marketers, like Marty Blackman, CEO of Blackman and Raber, are less optimistic.
"I really don't think that the U.S. at this time can carry two women's leagues. Something, sometime shortly, is going to have to give."
The athletes say women's pro basketball is a dream come true, but with limited dollars for advertising and sponsorship, marketers argue the dream could fade.
The legacy could be two failed leagues instead of just one that could have survived. 
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