Storm
Money talks: Lauren Jackson will go to Russia for temp job

By Jayda Evans
Seattle Times staff reporter

	Lauren Jackson
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She hates to fly, and her body is tired, yet it's nothing a little money can't fix.

Storm forward Lauren Jackson left her Australian home yesterday to play for Russia's premier club team in its championship series. The team, UMMC-Ekaterinburg, has signed her to a $220,000 contract for a minimum of three and a maximum of five games — the length of their title series, and Jackson will be used as a starter.

Storm coach Anne Donovan spoke with Jackson before she departed and was supportive of the reigning WNBA MVP's decision, despite Jackson's shin injuries. Jackson, who normally uses this period to rest, will be in Seattle for the opening of training camp April 25.

"I really believe players need to make money while they can," said Donovan, who played in Italy and Japan in the 1980s. "I think it's OK. There's enough time before camp, and if she hasn't recovered enough we can bring her along slowly like we did last season. From talking to her, her injuries aren't anything serious."

The Ekaterinburg contract is about 2½ times what Jackson will make in her fourth WNBA season. Her extension is being negotiated, but the league maximum is $87,000 for this season, and teammate Sue Bird recently signed a three-year contract that will pay her $87,000 with a gradual increase each year.

So the Russian deal is all about the money.

"That is pretty much the only reason I am doing it," Jackson told her hometown paper, the Canberra Times. "I wouldn't do it for nothing. I wouldn't give up two weeks of my very important time off for nothing. But I am a female athlete and I can't expect offers like this to come around every day. I'm a bit sad about leaving (Australia early) but you don't get a lifetime in my sport, so I need to do what I can do now."

According to Jackson, Ekaterinburg has been after her for the past few seasons, but she couldn't break her contract with the Canberra Capitals and didn't want to spend eight months away from home.

Jackson, who turns 23 on May 11, mentioned she could play with the team when her Canberra contract expires. She also would remain a Storm player during the summer months.

Ekaterinburg is the third-largest city in Russia, two hours from Moscow in the Ural mountains.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company