Seattle Storm forward to face fines, benching after skipping practice to broadcast Olympics

Swin Cash, looking stylish as part of NBC's Olympic women's basketball in-studio crew, is taking advantage of an opportunity she hopes will lead to a full-time broadcasting career.

But for now, the Storm star is being fined for every practice she misses, and she could be demoted to a reserve role once the WNBA resumes play after the Olympic break.

Cash, 28, is part of NBC's broadcast team in New York, and is calling non-USA games. Cash has previous TV experience, working as an NBA analyst for ESPN.

Storm coach Brian Agler met with Cash before she left for New York, and explained the pros and cons of leaving. On Tuesday, Agler said Cash would be fined for every practice she misses. He also said she would not be in the starting lineup when the Storm resumes play Aug. 28 against Houston at KeyArena.

"There's no question that for her broadcasting career that this is a good opportunity for her," Agler said. "But we also have a good opportunity here for our team. It was her choice."

Cash will not return to Seattle until Aug. 24, a day before Olympians Sue Bird (USA), Kelly Santos (Brazil) and Lauren Jackson (Australia) are expected to return.

Cash says she wouldn't be practicing now, anyway. She has been suffering from a herniated disk since last season and was told to rest during the monthlong hiatus. In New York, Cash is working with trainers and says she does not have a doctor's clearance to be on the court.

"For me, I could be doing my rehab and training in New York and having this unbelievable opportunity — or I could be rehabbing and sitting on the sideline in Seattle," Cash said. . "It wasn't like I just up and left the team."

Cash's teammates are grinding away at what Storm center Ashley Robinson called "basketball camp." The eight remaining players not involved in the Olympics reunited for practice Saturday.

The Storm closed the pre-Olympic portion of the WNBA season at 17-9, just a half-game behind San Antonio for the Western Conference lead. Cash, a 6-foot-1 forward, is the team's third-leading scorer, averaging 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.

Fans are debating on Internet message boards about her decision to join the media instead of practice with her team. But Cash said she first approached her teammates about the opportunity and accepted the NBC job only after receiving their consent. Center Yolanda Griffith, a vocal veteran, even told Cash she'd take the job if offered.

"I'd call it a control issue, like he [Agler] needs to have everybody around," said Cash's agent, Mike Cound. "And if you're going to go so far as not starting her, now you're hurting your team and your franchise. We're dealing with pros here and some good, positive press for the Seattle team. And you're not dealing with someone who has any history of not doing the work.

"The fine isn't a surprise, we knew that might happen. What is a surprise is that coach Agler would view it appropriate to air that in the press."

Cound said Cash's "modest" contract with NBC would be enough to cover Cash's fines.

Agler told players not to comment about the issue. Cash said she has been in daily contact with teammates and hasn't experienced any backlash.

Cash said she resisted the urge to turn into an investigative reporter and ask co-host Teresa Edwards, who is part of the eight-member USA Basketball selection committee, why she wasn't chosen to play for Team USA.

"Why harp on the negative?" said Cash, an Olympian in 2004. "I prayed on it and it was pretty easy because it's gone the way I've always handled stuff — with class. There are people that get bitter and angry, but I talked with Teresa about the whole process and she said she was really surprised by how I was handling things. I told her my focus was to get myself back in contention for the team in 2012, and I wasn't going to let this derail my aspirations of winning a second gold medal."

Cash said her focus is still winning a championship with the Storm as she soaks up the broadcast opportunity before a worldwide audience.

"Swin looks amazing," Robinson said. "She looks like broadcasting is what she should be doing. We're happy for her."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067