Storm Notebook | Team working to revive lagging home attendance

While Sonics ticket sales are frozen due to court proceedings, the Storm's sales staff is busily trying to attract more fans.

A year ago, attendance dropped off in response to the team's sale to Oklahoma-based ownership. But some fans have been slow to trickle back to KeyArena since the Storm's purchase by four local businesswomen. The team averaged 7,591 fans through its first eight games.

The WNBA average is 7,312; the Storm ranks ninth among the 14 teams.

Seattle's average is about 400 below the new ownership group's desired average of 8,000 for the season. It's also the lowest the team has averaged since the 2003 season (7,109). In 2006, the team brought in 8,537 per game.

Karen Bryant, Storm CEO, said part of the sluggish fan response this season is that the team had six home games in June, compared to five in 2007, when the team averaged 7,974 in 17 home games. Typically, WNBA teams pick up attendance after the Fourth of July.

"We're still optimistic that we'll get close to 8,000 by the end of the season," Bryant said. "We're pleased with where we are. We had a great opening night [12,079], and the opportunity for us is to make sure that we get more of those people back."

Seattle has started grass-roots programs on the Eastside to draw more families. Force 10 Hoops chairman Anne Levinson said upcoming theme nights, such as the "Women of Inspiration" on July 12, are also selling well.

Feeling prideful

Levinson served as a Grand Marshal in the Seattle Pride Parade through downtown on Sunday. The car was marked with the Storm logo, and Levinson said she heard lots of yelps of support and gratitude from the crowd.

"There were a lot of little kids, which was great to see," said Levinson. "I did the [pageant] wave and everything. It was wonderful."

The Storm offered discounted tickets to those at the parade for Sunday's game against Washington.

Looking for backup

Storm coach Brian Agler expects to add another perimeter player to his roster once free agents can be signed to seven-day contracts, starting Tuesday. Former Washington guard Kristen O'Neill, a current practice player, is also in the mix.

Agler, who is also the Storm's director of player personnel, cut rookie guard Kimberly Beck on Saturday to create more room under the salary cap for the flexibility to rotate in short-term players, if needed.

Picking up a point guard to help starter Sue Bird, who is logging a career-high 35.2 minutes, might seem to be a necessity, but the coach isn't concerned.

"Our challenge is to keep her on the floor as much as possible, but also keep her fresh," Agler said.

Bird, who had minor knee surgery last season, said she's in the best shape of her life. And with Tanisha Wright being able to share some of the point-guard duties, she feels able to withstand the grueling pace.

"Brian and I have talked a lot about what's best for me in terms of my subs, and he does a good job of seeing when I need a quick blow," Bird said. "I feel fine."