Phoenix Mercury owner can learn a lot from Mark Davis about what it means to truly respect the WNBA

When Mark Davis purchased the Las Vegas Aces nearly three years ago, he had specific goals in mind. His primary objective was to create a community for the franchise’s former players, similar to what his NFL Raiders have. It was important to Davis that women who had played in Utah and San Antonio still felt connected to the team, regardless of the location.

Davis also wanted to provide the Aces with a state-of-the-art practice facility, allowing them to have their own dedicated space. He didn’t want them to feel like nomads anymore. Lastly, he aimed to generate excitement among fans in Las Vegas.

But Davis knew that in order to achieve these goals, he needed to hire talented individuals. He emphasized the importance of surrounding himself with exceptional personnel, specifically mentioning Aces President Nikki Fargas, General Manager Natalie Williams, and Coach Becky Hammon.

“I just get out of the way,” Davis remarked in an interview with USA TODAY Sports, highlighting his trust in his team.

Clearly, Davis’ approach is working. The Aces are celebrating their second consecutive title, even with the challenge of losing starters Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes to injury before Game 4. They became the first WNBA team to win back-to-back championships since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002.

While the Aces are not without their flaws, having been sued for gender discrimination by former player Dearica Hamby, Davis has demonstrated wisdom by acknowledging what he lacks knowledge in and entrusting capable individuals to handle those matters. This stands in contrast to the situation in Phoenix.

The Mercury recently introduced their new head coach, Nate Tibbetts, who has zero experience in coaching women’s basketball. His statements during the introduction only added fuel to the fire of controversy surrounding his hiring.

With comments like, “This is a new league for me” and “I’m going to need to rely on our team to learn how this league works,” Tibbetts conveyed a lack of preparedness and understanding. The Mercury’s owner, Mat Ishbia, and general manager, Nick U’Ren, seem to view the hiring as a learning opportunity and training ground, as opposed to recognizing the value and prestige of the WNBA.

It’s worth considering how this situation would be seen differently if the roles were reversed. If a long-time WNBA assistant without any experience coaching in men’s basketball were suddenly hired as head coach of a prestigious NBA team, the uproar would be significant. Why should the WNBA be any different?

It’s important to respect the WNBA as the pinnacle of women’s basketball. It should not be treated as a stepping stone for individuals whose expertise lies elsewhere. Tibbetts’ hiring as the highest-paid coach in the league, surpassing the salary of two-time championship-winning coach Becky Hammon, only adds to the skepticism surrounding the decision.

Ultimately, what sets Davis apart is his recognition of the value of his team. He understands the impact of hiring quality individuals and compensating them accordingly. The Tibbetts hiring, accompanied by the promotion of him being a “Girl Dad,” reflects a lack of confidence from Mercury leadership.

In conclusion, Mark Davis and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia demonstrate contrasting approaches and levels of respect for the WNBA. Davis prioritizes community, talent, and investment in his team. In contrast, Ishbia’s decision to hire an inexperienced coach without the same level of expertise raises questions about the value placed on the WNBA.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Davis, Mercury owner Mat Ishbia show different respect for WNBA