An important story from the business side of the game --

Anne Mariucci and Kathy Munro have purchased an ownership interest in the Mercury. This is the first time that one of the NBA owners has partnered with an outside investor. Also the first time that women's have held equity in a team.

Ann's bio is here; Kathy's here.

This bodes well for the financial health of the league. If outside investors have interest in buying pieces of teams, the NBA owners are less likely to fold up and more likely to take the league -- and their investments -- seriously.

But Mariucci and Monro, who have an option to acquire a majority stake later on, aren't just in it for the money. "It's a luxury to be at a stop in our lives to make investment choices based on what matters to us instead of just an economic return or to advance your career," said Mariucci. "We can put our time and passion in the Mercury and the things that matter."