The league began with a player draft held in Manhattan's Essex House in July 1978, with eight teams participating. Houston drafted Ann Meyers from the University of California, Los Angeles and Lusia Harris, a collegiate standout at Delta State University. Harris was reluctant to commit to playing after hearing the $3,000 to $5,000 salaries estimated by the Minnesota franchise and decided to sit out the 1978-79 season and retain her administrative position at Delta State.Herman, Robin. "For Female Basketball, A Bid Bounce Forward; At the Telephone Wages Up in the Air", The New York Times, July 19, 1978. Accessed July 27, 2010.
