After a disappointing start to the season that has the team on track to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season, the Sparks have parted ways with general manager Raegan Pebley, the team announced on Sunday morning.
Here’s the full statement from the franchise:
The Los Angeles Sparks have agreed to part ways with General Manager Raegan Pebley, effective today. In the interim, GM
duties will be shared by Assistant GMs Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen.
“We are grateful to Raegan for her leadership and commitment to the Los Angeles Sparks and women’s basketball,” said Managing Partner and Governor Eric Holoman. “Her work on the Sparks roster and player experience will have a lasting positive impact on our organization. We sincerely thank her for all she has invested in the Sparks and wish her success in her next chapter.”
Pebley was named general manager of the franchise in January 2024, her first role in any WNBA front office. Under Pebley, the Sparks struggled, beginning with a 2024 campaign in which they went 8-32, the worst record in franchise history.
Ping pong balls didn’t bounce the Sparks’ way as they missed out on the No. 1 pick in the ensuing lottery and, as a result, Paige Bueckers. They shifted by trading the No. 2 pick for Kelsey Plum, kicking off a series of win-now moves that did not pan out.
This past offseason, the team brought back Nneka Ogwumike and traded Rickea Jackson, one of the bright young stars of the rebuild, for veteran wing Ariel Atkins, who has struggled this year.
After building an exciting young core, the Sparks now have an older, flawed roster and a 10-11 record, resulting in the parting of ways with Pebley.
The Sparks missed the plays just four times from their founding in 1997 through 2020. However, they have missed the playoffs the last five years and are on the outside looking in as things stand this season.
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