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WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Mercury welcome new investors

February 2, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


PHOENIX - Anne Mariucci and Kathy Munro, who have established stellar reputations as business and community leaders in Phoenix, have agreed to acquire 25% ownership in the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, as announced today by Suns Chairman, CEO and General Partner Jerry Colangelo.

Mariucci, former President of Del Webb Corporation, and Munro, former CEO of Bank of America-Southwest Region (based in Phoenix), will acquire their share of the team ownership from the NBA Phoenix Suns, who will continue to serve as Majority Owner and Operator of the Mercury.

"This is a ground-breaking day for the Mercury and for the WNBA," said Colangelo. "By capitalizing on Anne and Kathy's extensive business expertise and ties to the community we'll be positioned to take full advantage of the Mercury's improvement on the court. This development is timely with our number one pick in April's Draft and the beginning of the free agent signing period February 1."

This marks the first time an NBA team has ever partnered with outside investors in ownership of a WNBA team, and Mariucci and Munro become the first women to hold an ownership interest in a WNBA team.

"Kathy and I look forward to working closely with Jerry, his organization and the community to make the Mercury a championship sports organization," said Mariucci. "We attribute much of the success we have achieved in the business world to the teamwork and leadership lessons we learned playing competitive sports as we were growing up."

Munro noted, "It's a winning combination to pair our business skills with our all-out enthusiasm as Mercury fans to make the team an integral part of all sectors of the community. With the increased power on the playing court, this season promises to be great entertainment for young athletes, their families and all true sports fans."

WNBA President Val Ackerman, who participated in today's announcement, added, "Last year we changed our rules to allow ownership beyond NBA teams, knowing that we would be able to attract committed and successful entrepreneurs who share our vision about the league and who would want to work with us to build on our already considerable success. Anne and Kathy's business acumen and their love of sports are an unstoppable combination, and we are very excited to have them as part of the WNBA family."

Mariucci has had a 25-year career in development and homebuilding primarily with Del Webb Corporation, where she was most recently President. She is currently active in the private equity investment arena. She serves on a number of boards and recently completed service on the Governor Napolitano Citizens Finance Review Commission.

Mariucci received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance at the University of Arizona, where she was a two-sport athlete.

Munro spent 20 years with Bank Of America, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer, Southwest Banking Group for B of A's Southwest Region (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas). She currently serves as a principal in San Diego-based BridgeWest LLC, a private equity investment company specializing in wireless telecommunications infrastructure companies.

Munro, a former Campaign Chair for the Valley of the Sun United Way, holds a Bachelor's degree in Education and Political Science from Auburn University, and an MBA in Finance from the University of Washington.

The Mercury, a charter team in the WNBA, holds the Number One pick in the April College draft, and will begin their eighth season in May.

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