From The Host's Chair: Goodbye (For Now)

Dear WNBA and Women's Basketball Fans,

After three hundred and twenty-eight (328) shows hosted, this is Goodbye...for now. As I'm sure you're aware of, this evening marks my final night serving as the main host of the WNBA 365 Network until at least the Thanksgiving holiday. The time away from the Network (roughly four to six weeks) is something that is much needed for me personally not just because of the house work, but also the time of year where my announcing gigs kick into gear, specifically the start of both the 2016-17 American Hockey League and Major Arena Soccer League seasons, both leagues in which I serve as a Public Address Announcer for, with both the San Diego Gulls (AHL) and San Diego Sockers (MASL) hosting home stands to open their seasons.

I feel it is in my best interest to cut the chord and let our co-host team have their chance to host the program on their own time, and as I've seen in certain situations I cannot be more proud of their collective efforts night in and night out. Now these next few weeks will be their chance to take the spotlight and take the Network to the next level. It's crazy to think how far things have come for this Network, and idea I story-boarded and planned out in 2014 to do our part as fans to try and get the league and it's players some type of positive media coverage was the only thing I truly wanted to accomplish, and at this point in time, I believe we have exceed that expectation with everything we've done since our re-brand from celebrating our two year anniversary, the 2016 Draft Party and the 300th show.

I'll leave you with a few direct message to a few groups of people, but I'll end this by once again saying "THANK YOU" for allowing a fan of this league and sport, and a college broadcasting student who rolled out the blueprint for this Network in 2014. You welcomed me that night with open arms and open eyes that February night and never in my wildest dreams would I think a YouTube channel for the WNBA and the sport of Women's Basketball would get as popular as it has, and that I am forever grateful for.

I am truly humbled, appreciative, honored, privileged and blessed for everything. <>

To my co-host team,

I want to once again say "Thank You" for giving your time to join our panel each and every night either early in the evening or staying up late after a full night of games end to share your thoughts and input on the sport we all love. It obviously takes a full team effort on the court to win games, playoff series and championships. Your outstanding hard work and dedication every night on the panel not only makes everyone involved better, but our team effort gets us through each show and whenever that LIVE button signals OFF AIR after an hour or so, that's a WIN in my book.

You guys never seize to amaze me every night either, the wealth of knowledge and analysis everyone brings makes all of us better from game to game and your contributions on sparking up a different subject or jumping in to add on to someone's response is remarkable. During the time I'm gone, I can breathe easier knowing that I have faith and trust in the team I assembled as opposed to the many nights where our former co-host would leave me hanging minutes before the show would start.

You've stepped up in big time situations and now this is your time to shine and trust me, you've earned this opportunity.

To our friends who are WNBA and Women's Basketball Media Members,

Thank you to those folks who we have interacted with over social media or whenever you've come onto our Network to share your professional opinions on the league and the sport itself. Not only have we enjoyed your presence on air, but it's been an extraordinary experience of being able to Network and forming new connections with the assembled and credential members of the media. I'm sure other professional sporting leagues wouldn't want to waste their time on a fan run podcast, but you all have been so gracious enough to spend a few minutes or even a few hours to join the program whenever there's a big event going on in the sport such as the WNBA Draft.

We wholeheartedly appreciate your time to contribute to the Network either via social media interaction or whenever you've come aboard the show. We look forward to having more and more of you on sometime soon!

To the players who have watched or interacted with us,

A lot of strings have to be pulled for us to get you on our show, in regards to going through Public and Media Relation staffs to schedule a convenient time and date for you to join us. However, the social media platforms have allowed you to interact with us, either when you've followed our Twitter or Instagram accounts...or when we've been able to land you on the program.

We all know what you go through in regards to pushing and striving for respect and equality with other professional sports, in the press, average sports fans, etc. Always know that true fans of the league and sport will always be on the front lines defending this sport and league day in and day out. Keep doing what you're doing and we'll be here talking about you, your team and everything else about the league and sport all day. every day.

Last but not least, To the WNBA and Women's Basketball Fan Community,

Thank You for allowing us to be an intricate part of the community. It's not often in professional sports that you can make friends, and I mean legitimate friends with people who don't root for the same team as you do. From the LA to Phoenix, Seattle to Minneapolis, Atlanta to New York, Chicago to Indianapolis, etc. This fan community has been the best one I've ever been apart of ever. Every day you see things that never happen in other pro sports, it's friends having engaging conversations about not just the games on the court, but other sports, life, reality television. What other sports league would have these types of conversations on the daily grind except for the WNBA and Women's Basketball community?

Sure, whenever our teams play each other, we'll bicker, argue and have some heated discussion about the game, but when the dust settles we have enough common sense to say "Hey, good game today. Good luck in your next game.", not resorting to the levels of other pro sports of threatening someone's life because of who we root for. Plus, it's great catching up with the friends you make who root for the other teams in the league, even when you get the chance to meet your Twitter or Facebook friends at a game over the summer.

Never change WNBA and Women's Basketball fans! You optimize how amazing sports fans can really be!

...And those are my thoughts...FROM THE HOST'S CHAIR <>

#FromTheHostsChair