Fast Breaks and iPhone Photos at Barclays Center
The 1993 Women’s Final Four, held at the now-demolished Omni Coliseum in my hometown of Atlanta, stirred my interest in women's basketball. I marveled at the talents of Sheryl Swoopes as Texas Tech made its unforgettable run to the NCAA Championship.
I've casually followed the WNBA since its inception, occasionally watching regular season games and the playoffs. My appreciation of the league grew significantly after watching a spirited early-season matchup between the Dallas Wings and the Atlanta Dream in May 2023.
I was thoroughly impressed by Dallas forward Satou Sabally, a six-foot-four-inch Gambian-German phenom with impressive wing skills and the grit and determination to battle on the blocks. Her all-world teammate, Arike Ogumbowale, was an offensive marvel with a devastating ability to score from anywhere on the court. Allisha Gray, the silky-smooth Atlanta Dream shooting guard also stood out due to her polished offensive repertoire and silent assassin demeanor.
The Wings-Dream matchup inspired me to purchase a WNBA league pass subscription. The league only has 12 teams, so the talent is concentrated in each team featuring the world’s most decorated players. The talent level makes for highly competitive games.
After consuming League Pass games, I attended a matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. I had not attended a WNBA game since the late-2000's; the game has grown tremendously.
The diverse fan base and welcoming atmosphere were spirited, entertaining, and highly professional. The affordable ticket prices were a hit with families, which is a rare sight at pricer NBA games in the Big Apple.
Ellie the Elephant, the Liberty mascot, is one of the best in professional sports, and the over 60, Timeless Torches dance troupe are crowd pleasers. The game was competitive in the first half, then the Liberty stepped on the gas and blew the Dream out to the crowd's delight.
I enjoyed the game and was determined to get tickets to another. I set my sights on the premier matchup with the league's top team – the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, led by University of South Carolina sensation A’ja Wilson.
The Aces visited NYC on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. The crowd outside the arena was reminiscent of the energy before a Brooklyn Nets playoff game, with thousands eagerly awaiting entry. A range of celebs were in attendance, and the arena's upper levels were opened to accommodate ticket demand.
The high-powered Aces were routed by the Liberty in an awe-inspiring second-half performance. Looking around the arena and seeing the excitement of the fans, I felt that women’s professional basketball was on the precipice of something huge.
The New York Liberty drew 11,000+ fans on a beautiful summer day in NYC. That may sound paltry in a city of over 8 million people, but it is not easy.
For starters, women’s sports are marginalized, and outside of tennis and soccer, they typically draw smaller crowds. The competition is fierce in NYC, as there is always so much to do. Therefore, getting that many people to attend is commendable.
I’m curious to see what the WNBA becomes in the next few years. Currently, WNBA games bring a mix of people together to enjoy highly skilled women doing their things outside the watchful eyes of the mainstream's superficial hang-ups. Hopefully, the league doesn’t lose its freedom when the masses finally catch up.
