The recent folding of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) has called into question the health of women's professional sports on a grand scale, but Stern reiterated that the league's owners remain committed to keeping the women's league - which had 14 teams for the 2003 season - afloat.
The league once owned all the teams and had the NBA franchises run them. However before this past season, the NBA elected to give complete WNBA team ownership to the NBA teams.
Such a move led to the Miami Heat subsequently folded the Miami Sol, while the Orlando Magic sold the Orlando Miracle to a group in Connecticut and the Utah Jazz sold its Starzz team to a group in San Antonio.
After Cleveland Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund saw his WNBA team, the Cleveland Rockers, experience a 21 percent decline at the gate this past season, he also gave up the franchise.
Commented Stern: "We'll be making the decision as to the status of the Cleveland franchise - whether it will fold or it will move - within the next 10 days. If it folds, we're still committed to going with a minimum of 13 teams."
The league's average attendance dropped by six percent to about 8,800 fans per game in 2003, as more than half of the 14 teams experienced ticket sales declines.
The WUSA's demise was caused mainly by a lack of sponsor support, something that Stern insists isn't troubling the WNBA. League sponsors include Coca-Cola, Gatorade, Nike, Reebok and Proctor & Gamble among others.
Stated Stern: "More sponsors will be announced over time and I am confident the league will get stronger in that area."
Stern added that at the recent NBA board of governors meeting, other owners wanted to "make it publicly clear to dispel any notions" that the WNBA was in any jeopardy of ceasing operation.
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