Former MVPs Tina Charles and Phoenix Mercury have contributed to the amazing development for last season’s WNBA runners-up.
Mercury announced Saturday that the franchise and Charles have agreed to an immediate contract divorce terms.
“After discussions with Tina and her agent, it was better for both sides to go their separate ways this time,” said Jim Pitman, general manager of Mercury. “Because of the conditions under our control and outside, our season did not go according to our plan and we will continue to look for all ways to improve.”
Charles averaged 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds for Mercury 6-12, not keeping Britney Greener at the center for the entire season as he has been held captive in Russia. After making it to the WNBA Finals last year under coach Sandy Brondello, Mercury suffered various injuries and illnesses in her first session under coach Vanessa Niagard.
Mercury signed a one-year deal worth 108,000 with Charles in February. Charles was the WNBA’s scoring leader in 2021 after averaging 23.4 points while playing for the Washington Mystics. She did not play in the league during the 2020 Covid-19 bubble season in Bradenton, Florida.
1 draft pick from UConn in 2010, Charles played with the Connecticut Sun in 2010-13 and New York in 2014-2019. She was a 2012 WNBA MVP and is an eight-time All-Star and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He won two NCAA titles at UConn, but did not win the WNBA Championship.
