Loading…
Basketball
The Los Angeles Sparks have appointed Philadelphia 76ers executive Ariana Andonian as their new general manager, tasking her with ending a six-season playoff drought.
AIVIASPORT is dedicated to women's sport, providing comprehensive coverage of the world's biggest competitions. We follow the leading leagues, tours, and tournaments throughout the season with the latest news, fixtures, results, standings, rankings, transfers, and analysis.
Our football coverage includes competitions such as the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Women's Super League (WSL), Liga F, Frauen-Bundesliga, Première Ligue, Serie A Femminile, Toppserien, A-Liga, and Damallsvenskan. In tennis, we cover the WTA Tour and all four Grand Slam tournaments, while our golf coverage focuses on the LPGA Tour, the Ladies European Tour (LET), and the sport's major championships.
From domestic leagues to the biggest international events, VIASPORT brings together women's football, tennis, and golf in one dedicated destination.
Los Angeles Sparks have landed Ariana Andonian as their new general manager, pulling the former Philadelphia 76ers vice president of player personnel away from the NBA to take charge of one of the WNBA's most underperforming franchises.
Andonian replaces Raegan Pebley, who departed the organisation in July after a two-and-a-half-year stint. The search for her successor was overseen by Farhan Zaidi, special adviser to Sparks owner Mark Walter.
Andonian brings considerable front-office experience. She spent two seasons with the 76ers following seven years working across the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. During her career she also consulted for Duke's basketball programme while completing her MBA.
Her appointment is the third executive hire the Sparks have made from NBA circles in the past year, after assistant general managers Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen joined the operation.
The task ahead is daunting. The Sparks have missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons and currently lack significant first-round talent on their roster. Years of limited investment in basketball operations left the front office thin - something the franchise has been actively addressing with its recent hiring spree.
Among Andonian's early decisions will be the future of head coach Lynne Roberts, who holds a 36-48 record across two seasons in charge.
There is at least one piece of good news waiting. The Sparks are set to open a new practice facility in 2027, finally giving the team a permanent base after years without one.
Written by
Updated
Copyright 2026 VIASPORT
Eva Hernández, Editor-in-Chief
VIASPORT uses AI to generate, enhance, and quality-assure its journalism. While we strive to create engaging and accurate material, imagery, grammar, and spelling may occasionally deviate from conventional standards.
