So I'm going through headlines and articles on the WNBA this weekend, keeping on top of the news, getting ready for our next Roundtable discussion on Women's Sports Talk Radio (6/20, 4:00 pm ET, http://www.womenssportstalkshow.com).

As many of you are aware, there's been a power struggle between the Russian Basketball Federation and the San Antonio Silver Stars over Becky Hammon's services during the European Basketball Championships. You can't blame either side, and you can see the point of both sides.

San Antonio realizes the WNBA season is short, the Western conference is stacked, and Becky is their leader. They are making a normally difficult East coach swing, and are faced with playing New York and Connecticut with a team already missing "resting" Ann Wauters.

The Russian Federation has made a big commitment to Becky. They have gone the "extra mile" in giving her citizenship, which put millions of extra rubles in her pockets, and has probably gone further to secure her post-basketball life than anything the WNBA can ever do for her. They realize she is better than their guards, and the European championships are HUGE. As defending champion, Russia wants all hands on deck.

Donna O. and the powers that be in the W can't be happy. They've already lost Chamique Holdsclaw and Nykesha Sales for full WNBA seasons (glad to say Mique is back) while they play in Europe. Stars like Lauren Jackson, Diana Taurasi and Tina Thompson have all openly discussed leaving the W at some point while making the money Europe offers. Add having foreign players like Wauters use the W as their "secondary" league, and they are more obstacles to bringing legitimacy to a still developing league in difficult economic times.

Fans aren't happy. Only the "die hard" SA fans are able to swallow this with a sigh, but even they realize that this is only going to make the West even tougher, with Minnesota and Phoenix surging. The Stars are fortunate LA is off slowly, and that Seattle has a brutal opening schedule. As a niche league, individual players are crucial to ticket buyers. I gave up my season tickets a few years ago (story for another time), but I looked at the schedule to see when Chicago, Indiana and LA are coming to CT. I admit it; I want to see Sylvia Fowles, Tamika Catchings and/or Lisa Leslie's farewell. So how do you think those that bought tickets in CT and NY, but especially NY, to see their former fan fave not play in their ONE trip east this season feel? I can understand them being upset.

But, how about Becky? I've thought about this one, from the time I first snickered upon hearing this. I admit to saying "see, you made your bed, etc." I've done a lot more thinking about it though. And you know what, I don't have a problem with Becky. While I didn't like the charade she put on about USA basketball denying her so she'll play in the Olympics for Russia, I did all along understand that the shelf life a woman playing pro basketball is short. I had no problem with the whole citizenship for money thing, from her perspective. You have to do what you can to set yourself up for life. So, I don't have a problem with Becky leaving for two games for the European championships. This is a necessary evil to get your money.

Everything comes with a price.

For SA, it could mean the playoffs if they fall short, but is that only Becky's fault? I'd argue its more Ann Wauters' fault than Becky. 

For the league, it's another reminder of its secondary status.

For the fans, it's a reminder to enjoy all the players and the game, but don't buy tickets expecting one player. What if she was injured? No discussion.

And for Becky, it may be enduring more criticism.  However, it's a way to get to the end goal, setting yourself up for the rest of your life. You can't blame her for that at all.  Isn't that what we're all trying to do with our jobs?