The Seattle Storm inked three-time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson to a new three-year deal on Tuesday. The seven-time All-Star is in her 11th season with Seattle, making her the longest-tenured player on any WNBA roster. The Seattle Times has the details: “The league’s collective-bargaining agreement expires in 2013, so Jackson’s salary could change in the final season. Over the next two, she’s slated to make $105,500 in 2012 and $107,500 in 2013. ‘In the world of free agency and the reality of professional sports, it’s a real credit to Lauren’s loyalty to the city and to the franchise and Brian (Agler) building a culture that players not only want to come here, they want to stay here’ said Karen Bryant, Storm CEO and president. The seven-time All-Star was drafted with the top overall pick in 2001 and has grown to become a franchise leader in points (5,803), rebounds (2,357) and blocks (569). ‘It suits me down to the ground,’ said Jackson of the city. ‘The people are very eclectic and kind of crazy and I just fit in here. We have the makings of a really good couple of years. We’ve shown we can be successful, injuries aside, and I still have things I want to achieve here. Next year will probably be my last with the (Australian) national team, and then I’m focused solely on Seattle.’ Jackson, a 6-foot-6 center, is rehabilitating from left hip surgery. She said she’d be surprised if she didn’t return to play this summer.”
