The Lynx, the 2017 WNBA champions, have not received an invitation to the White House, a place they visited after each of their first three titles.
"We're not losing sleep over it,'' coach Cheryl Reeve said.
Reeve said each of the previous three championships were followed quickly by a call from then-President Barack Obama, which included an invite to the White House. The Lynx did not receive a call from President Donald Trump after last fall's title win over Los Angeles.
"It was something special to share with the players to have the president of the United States calling you, congratulating you on a great series,'' Reeve said. "And to have, at the end of the call, say we'd love to have you at the White House to celebrate with the president. So, certainly, it's disappointing. But we're moving on.''
Would the Lynx go if such an invite came? After winning the title, veteran forward Rebekkah Brunson said she would not be interested in going. To Reeve, it comes down to a few issues. Would it fit into the schedule? And while there might be some reluctance to go, Reeve said the trip could also be looked at as an opportunity to open a dialogue about contemporary issues.
In any event, should an invite come, Reeve will sit down with here veterans, and they will decide as a group, as always.
"It would be no different this time,'' she said. "There's more to talk about in this one. But I'd want to make sure we're really thoughtful. Because that's what champions do. They go to the White House. … But the invite would have to come first.''
Recent history suggests it might not. South Carolina, the 2017 NCAA women's basketball champions, didn't get an invite for seven months, and ultimately decided not to go. This year's women's champion, Notre Dame, has not gotten an invite.
"The trend certainly is that women's sports aren't recognized in the same way men's sports are,'' said Reeve, who noted that the Houston Astros, World Series champs last fall, visited the White House in March. "That's the unfortunate pattern. We don't want to believe that's the case, but it's hard not to think that. When the Astros have won a championship and been there and we've gotten no communication, it's certainly disappointing.''
Moore on way
Maya Moore's Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, finished its three-game sweep in the Euro-League finals April 22, meaning she should rejoin the Lynx soon. Reeve said Moore will be allowed to go to her home in Atlanta and get some rest, before joining the team. It could happen next week.
It's just another title for Moore. She has won four WNBA titles, two Olympics titles, two FIBA world titles, two NCAA titles at Connecticut, three titles in China and now two EuroLeague titles.
Lynx assistant James Wade, also an assistant with Ekaterinburg, will be with the team when it resumes practicing Friday.
Etc.
• With her season in Europe over, Wolves backup center Temi Fagbenle should also be on the court Friday.
• Reeve said she was disappointed at Fox Sports North's decision to televise fewer home games this season. FSN will televise six home games this season. Last year FSN carried 11 home games, ESPN did another five, leaving only one home game not on local television. This year, all home games will be available either on ESPN2, FSN, FSN-Plus or on Fox Sport GO, a streaming app.
