So Atlanta has just been awarded a WNBA franchise.  The WNBA–It’s FAAAAAAAN-Tastic!

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/2007/10/16/wnba_1017.html

The most important bit of this news, to me, is the name.  When Atlanta got an Arena football team a few years ago, they had a “name-the-team” contest.  My friend Ricky and I submitted the name “Phoenix.”  It made enough sense–the Phoenix is the official mascot of Atlanta (the city “rising from the ashes” post-1865), and Phoenix fits with the Atlanta “bird family” (Hawks, Falcons, Thrashers).  The three finalists for the team name were Phoenix, Force, and Arsenal.  The fans were to vote and choose the team name.

Phoenix overwhelmed the other two choices in the vote.

But the people were denied.  Virgil Williams, the owner, instead chose “Force.”

I have again suggested “Phoenix” for the WNBA team’s name.  If Phoenix wins this time, I promise to pay attention to our new WNBA team.