Lynx/WNBA

Founding WNBA president Val Ackerman recently cleared up a long-held belief about the league since its debut almost 20 years ago.

According to Fox Sports, the recent Women’s World Cup title game got boffo ratings. It “exceeded our highest hopes,” claimed network VP Michael Mulvihill.

Seimone Augustus is the first Black female pro athlete in Twin Cities sports history to get “franchise” tagged on her. It’s a title some locals were reluctant to crown her with, preferring instead to find someone, anyone not Black.

It seems that everywhere she goes, or at least everywhere this columnist is in her presence, WNBA President Laurel Richie is asked about the “E” word — expansion. “I’m very encouraged by the expression of interest,” said Richie in her response during a 10-question ESPN.com Q&A with her back in April.

Laurel Richie — in the fifth year of her WNBA presidency — had to address a couple of controversial off-season issues, including a domestic violence incident between two WNBA players, and Isiah Thomas’ now-tabled application for part ownership with the New York Liberty.

Val Ackerman will soon celebrate two years as Big East commissioner. “It’s not the Big East of UConn, Notre Dame, Louisville and Rutgers anymore. We’re a different group,” said the 25-year sports business veteran who was named league commissioner in June 2013.

Amanda Zahui B. and Shae Kelley were the only Minnesota Golden Gophers drafted this spring by WNBA teams: Tulsa and Minnesota respectively. The possibility of the two college teammates facing each other as professionals in their basketball “hometown” was squashed when Kelley was cut by the Lynx a couple of days before official rosters were set.

Candice Wiggins’ finger bandage was a proud badge of honor: “I know my status now,” said the eight-year WNBA guard, who recently was tested for HIV and AIDS. The results were negative.

The Minnesota Lynx spoiled Amanda Zahui B.’s first time back in her basketball “hometown.” Prior to Friday’s game, the 6-5 Zahui B. admitted that it would feel “weird” but she was excited to play in Minnesota again.

Can Asjha Jones, who Minnesota signed last month, be the 6-2 forward that once helped Connecticut twice reached the WNBA Finals in consecutive seasons? She missed all last season due to an injury. Can she fill the post vacated by Janel McCarville’s decision to sit out this season?

Several domestic abuse cases haven’t shut down the NFL, and players leaving early haven’t yet put college sports out of business. But based on recent events, it seems that such sky-is-falling fuss about the WNBA is running rampant.

Amanda Zahui B. is the first Black University of Minnesota basketball player ever to be drafted so high in school history —Tulsa Shock selected her second overall in Thursday’s WNBA Draft.

Is there a “franchise-changing” player in Thursday’s WNBA Draft? A Maya Moore, Brittney Griner or Elena Delle Donne, perhaps, three former high picks that transformed their respective clubs in their rookie summers?