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WNBA President Val Ackerman resigns

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Val Ackerman resigned Thursday as president of the WNBA, a post she held since the league started playing eight years ago.

A statement from the league said Ackerman's resignation takes effect Feb.1, 2005.

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"The past eight years have required much sacrifice in my family life, and at this juncture it is my profound desire to devote myself more fully to the lives and activities of my daughters," Ackerman said.

"It has been a privilege to serve as the WNBA's first president and to be part of the extraordinary growth of women's basketball over the past decade."

During Ackerman's tenure, the league had an average attendance of 9,300 fans per game, increased in size from eight to 13 teams and landed television contracts with ABC, ESPN and the Oxygen Network.

The WNBA statement said Ackerman will lead the search for her successor and will become an adviser to the league and to National Basketball Commissioner David Stern.

NBA, which will begin immediately, and will act as an advisor to the league and NBA

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