The WNBA LA Sparks have parted ways with the team president

The LA Sparks open the regular season at home on May 19 against Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury, but they already had some disrupting news.

The Los Angeles Sparks are parting ways with team president Vanessa Shay after nearly a year on the job. Shay, who was in charge of business operations, was hired last May. Her departure was "mutually agreed" upon, the team said Tuesday.

Shay previously was chief revenue officer for the NWSL's San Diego Wave and was vice president of global partnerships at AEG Worldwide for 13 years.

Managing Partner Eric Holman thanked Vanessa Shay's

Sparks managing partner Eric Holman thanked Shay for guiding the team "through an important transition."