WNBA News: Ann Rodriguez named Senior VP

NEW YORK, NY – Beginning on August 7, 2017, the WNBA will welcome a new face to their management team. Ann Rodriguez, who holds over 15 years in accomplished management experience under her belt, will join the league as Senior Vice President.

According to a league release, Rodriguez will focus on overseeing on-court basketball operations including playing rules, scouting, and scheduling and venue compliance. Her duties will also include overseeing management of referee operations and the admission of player-related policies and practices. Rodriquez will report to NBA President, League Operations Byron Spruill.

“Ann is an experienced leader with diverse skills in both the sports and corporate sectors,” said Spruell. “Her background, her strong track record in management and operations combined with her leadership skills and keen sports knowledge will be invaluable as the WNBA continues to grow as a business and deliver the highest quality of play on the court.”

The Annapolis, MD native and 2017 winner of Sports Business Journal’s “Forty under Forty” said in a release that it is an honor to work for an organization that also exemplifies the empowerment of women.

“As someone who has been in and around sports throughout my life and my professional career, it is a privilege to join a league such as the WNBA that is home to immensely talented athletes who exemplify what it means to be a modern-day female athlete -- women who excel at what they do on the court and are positive role models in their communities," said Rodriguez.

Before joining the WNBA, Rodriquez gained much of her professional sports experience around the soccer field. She was most recently the Vice President of Business Operations for Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC. Here, Rodriguez lead the team’s marketing strategy and business plans, focusing on ticket sales, marketing, digital and social media, broadcasts, sponsorships and many other areas of communications and community relations.