Washington Mystics owner Abe Pollin announced today that he has sold the WNBA franchise to Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET Television. Johnson, the former wife of Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert Johnson, became the first black female franchise owner in WNBA history.

“I would not have sold this team to anybody else,” Pollin told the AP. “We think it’s time for an African-American woman to own a WNBA team. We sought her out, we think she’s perfect to run a team. I have known Sheila Johnson for 20 years and I have been absolutely impressed with her enthusiasm and business acumen. She will be a tremendous owner, and most importantly she is the ideal person to continue to guide this team that Irene and I founded.”

Perhaps a new owner can bring a bit of stability to a team that has gone through constant upheaval in the last year or so. First Director of Basketball Operations Judy Holland-Burton resigned in Febuary, then Chamique Holdsclaw, who quit the team last year to go play overseas, forced a trade to Los Angeles in March. Head coach Michael Adams abruptly resigned in April to take a job with Gary Williams at the University of Maryland. WNBA veteran Richie Adubato was hired a week later as the new coach.

The Mystics opened their season last week with a win before losing their home opener on Sunday to the Connecticut Sun by a score of 69-67.