WNBA President Laurel Richie Departs After Five Seasons

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WNBA President Laurel Richie is departing after five seasons, the league announced Wednesday. Her last day will be Nov. 9.

Richie is leaving "to pursue her other interests serving as a board member of several for-profit and not-for-profit institutions and continuing to be an advocate for girls and young women," according to a statement.

The league will begin searching for a new president immediately, with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum standing in for the interim.

The WNBA's 19th season finished in mid-October, when the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever in the finals. The 2016 season will begin in June.

During the current offseason, the Tulsa Shock will also relocate to Dallas-Fort Worth and become the Dallas Wings.

During Richie's reign, orchestrating league-wide initiatives, such as WNBA Pride and Hoops For Troops, was a priority.

Richie was a longtime executive with the Girl Scouts of the USA and worked in top advertising agencies before joining the WNBA in 2011.

In a statement, Richie said she is “proud of what the WNBA has been able to accomplish during my tenure and am grateful for the opportunity to play my part in setting the stage for the 20^th season and beyond.”

"I was fortunate to work with some very special people, from owners, to league and team staff, to the passionate fans of the WNBA, to the incredibly talented WNBA athletes," she continued. "I will forever be a fan of theWNBA and a champion for all it stands for."