Some are booking bigger venues for when Clark and the Indiana Fever come to town.

The Las Vegas Aces and Washington Mystics have moved their games against the Fever to bigger arenas. The numbers Clark generated in college indicates it’s a smart move.

While at Iowa, when the No. 1 pick in the draft and the Hawkeyes went on the road this past season, they played in front of sellout crowds or set attendance records.

“She helps ticket sales, so I think it’s a really great time to have eyes. She’s going to be an elite player,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “She has been in college. She’s done stuff in college that nobody else has. She’s going to be a great player in the W. There’s no doubt about it.

“So the more people we can pack into the building to cheer against her, we’ll take it, although I don’t know if they’ll be cheering against her,” Hammon quipped. “I guess they might be cheering for her.”

The two-time reigning WNBA champion Aces relocated their game on May 25 from the 12,000-seat Michelob Ultra Arena to the 18,000-seat T-Mobile Arena.

Aces players credit Clark, but also know that their own team, which has won the past two WNBA championships, has done a great job increasing attendance at games over the past few seasons.

“We’re not rolling out any red carpet. We’re here to be a business and sell a lot of tickets. Kudos to her (Clark), but we also have done that in previous years in big games as well,” Las Vegas guard Kelsey Plum said. “There are a lot of people that play basketball. People are coming to watch A’ja Wilson. People are going to watch Chelsea Gray.

“That’s not a slight on anyone, but I’m saying that’s not for her. We played in Chicago last year. We sold it out last year.”

Clark will make her preseason debut on Friday night at Dallas — a game that is already sold out.

The Mystics game against Indiana on June 7 will be played at Capital One Arena — Washington’s old home. Their normal home, the Entertainment and Sports Arena, can seat up to 4,200 fans, but the Capital One Arena has a maximum basketball capacity of more than 20,000.

Nearly half of WNBA teams play in NBA arenas, so there’s no need to move those games.

Still, a few others that don’t are feeling a push to move games to larger arenas, including the Chicago Sky. The Sky and Angel Reese play their home games in the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena. Fans started a petition to move their first home game against Indiana to the bigger United Center. There’s a concert scheduled at that arena on June 23 when the Fever come to town — so that’s not going to happen.

The Los Angeles Sparks are another team that could move their game against Indiana.

The Sparks are playing their first five home games at Long Beach because of arena conflicts from construction and the NBA and NHL playoffs. They are hosting the Fever on May 24, which is scheduled to be played at Long Beach. The team’s first five games will be played there in a 4,000-seat arena.

The Sparks have played games in the past at USC and there’s always a chance they could move the Indiana game there. The Sparks said they have nothing official to report when asked about moving the game.

The Atlanta Dream, who also play in a smaller venue that seats only 3,500, host Clark and the Fever on June 21. The team hasn’t said whether it’s exploring trying to move to a bigger arena yet.

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FILE – LSU’s Alexis Morris controls the ball during an NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal basketball game against Virginia Tech, March 31, 2023, in Dallas. Former LSU star Morris knows firsthand how hard it is to make a WNBA roster. The guard was drafted in the second round by the Connecticut Sun a few weeks after helping the Tigers win their first championships in 2023, but was cut before the season started. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

BY DOUG FEINBERG

Updated 6:00 AM EDT, April 30, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Former LSU star Alexis Morris knows firsthand how hard it is to make a WNBA roster.

The guard was drafted in the second round by the Connecticut Sun a few weeks after helping the Tigers win the national title in 2023, but was cut before the season started.

And when this year’s camps opened on Sunday, Morris wasn’t invited to any of them.

That hasn’t stopped her from playing basketball, though. Morris spent time overseas before signing with the Harlem Globetrotters in February.

“Absolutely. It’s my dream, I can’t give my dream up,” she said. “I know I made mistakes. I will continue to push for it until I reach my goals. It is a tough league to make.”

Morris received some backlash for comments she made after getting cut last year. She called for the retirement of some WNBA veterans to make way for incoming rookies like herself. Morris said she learned from the criticism.

“I don’t regret saying what I said, but I do wish I had articulated it better to reach people it should have reached,” Morris said. “I wasn’t targeting the veterans. I was a veteran at LSU and I know how tough it is when you have rookies that don’t respect the time you served. (I) wasn’t trying to be that knucklehead rookie. It needed to be said and I said it. I apologized for how I said it.”

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Caitlin Clark attendance boon: Some WNBA teams look for bigger arenas when the Fever come to town

The 5-foot-6 Morris averaged 15.6 points during LSU’s championship season and was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference.

“I hope and wish one day they can expand and have more opportunities for the younger generation and talent that dream to play there,” Morris said.

The WNBA is adding a 13th team next year in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she hopes to add three more teams by 2028.

“It’s hard to make a roster now,” New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “There’s so many really talented players that don’t get a chance.”

Until then, Morris continues to work on her game.

She played in Romania, Turkey and France and is now with the Trotters.

“I was not in the mental space to go play overseas initially after getting waived from the W,” Morris said. “Leaving my home country, it was tough to process that at the time. Now I’m here doing what I love to do.”

Known as “The Show” with the Globetrotters, Morris became the seventh female player for the organization in its 98 years. She got the nickname from an AAU coach when she was 12 and it stuck.

“We come out here every night to put on an amazing show for the fans, the families, and our goal is to ultimately change people’s perspectives and create millions of smiles,” Morris said.

She has no intention of leaving the Globetrotters anytime soon. The organization has said it will give her time if she were to make a WNBA camp or roster.

“I plan on being here for a lifetime,” she said. “It makes it perfect for women who want to stay in the States. You can become a Harlem Globetrotter and then play in the WNBA. It’s perfect opportunity for women to stay here in our country.”

Morris loves the culture around the Globetrotters and hopes other women might soon follow.

“It’s another outlet for women,” she said. “You still get the opportunity to work on your game and train. You have to behave like a pro and move like a pro.”

___

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

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SWITZERLAND, April 15, 2024 – In celebration of the exponential growth of the women’s game, Tissot, Wilson and the WNBA announced today their collaboration on two new limited-edition watches, marking the first official watch in league history.  The creation of the two new 40mm Tissot Seastar Wilson® WNBA watches highlight the Swiss watchmaking and timekeeping expertise of Tissot, Wilson’s innovative and official WNBA basketball, as well as the cultural influence of the WNBA.

A New Watch Collection Created for WNBA Fans and Basketball Fanatics

The first-of-its-kind Tissot Seastar Wilson® WNBA Powermatic 80 and Tissot Seastar Wilson® WNBA Quartz encompasses special features tailored to the most enthusiastic fans in basketball, including:

• Distinct white and orange details, recognized globally as the brand identity of the WNBA
• The watches come with interchangeable orange and white straps, produced from Wilson’s Official Basketball of the WNBA, Evo-NXT Premium Composite Material
  • The straps can be swapped out by simply clipping out and clipping in – no visits to the jeweller or tool required. This flexible, high-comfort approach to watch design is a key element in delivering versatility and usability
• In connection with Tissot’s ownership as the official timekeeper of the NBA and WNBA shot clocks – the rotating bezels incorporates the 24-second basketball shot clock time
• Tissot, Wilson, and the WNBA are all featured on the case back, which features a WNBA Wilson® basketball

The Next Edition of the World Renowned Tissot Seastar

The collaboration proudly complements the Seastar range, introducing a specially designed edition within the existing 40mm models. edition features two exclusive models: one powered by the Powermatic 80 movement, offering the allure and esteemed mechanics associated with automatic watches, and the other by a high-quality Swiss Made quartz movement, known for its precision and reliability.

The Powermatic version is distinguished by its black circular brushed dial and mineral bezel, in contrast to the quartz model, which features these elements in white.

The watches are ideal for those seeking a sporty yet assertive accessory that ensures technical superiority. The Seastar name reflects their water resistance up to 30 bar (300 meters/1,000 feet), with enhanced visibility in low-light conditions provided by Super-LumiNova® on the hands and hour markers.

Features

	Tissot Seastar Wilson WNBA Powermatic 80
	CASE–    Diameter: 40 mm–    Sapphire crystal–    Shot clock bezel: uni-directional rotating mineral bezel with timing graduation–    Screw-down crown–    WNBA Wilson® basketball see-through case back
	MOVEMENT–    Powermatic 80–    30 bar (300 m/1000 ft)–    Swiss Made–    Nivachron Balance Spring
	DIAL–    Black circular brushed dial–    High contrast and legibility–    Hour and minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova®
	BRACELET–    Duo of Interchangeable Quick Release Wilson® WNBA Evo-NXT Premium Composite Game Ball Material

	Tissot Seastar Wilson WNBA Quartz
	CASE–    Diameter: 40 mm–    Sapphire crystal–    Shot clock bezel: uni-directional rotating mineral bezel with timing graduation–    Screw-down crown–    WNBA Wilson® basketball customised case back
	MOVEMENT–    Quartz movement EOL–    Swiss Made
	DIAL–    White circular brushed dial–    High contrast and legibility–    Hour and minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova®
	BRACELET–    Duo of Interchangeable Quick Release Wilson® WNBA Evo-NXT Premium Composite Game Ball Material

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Ticket information will be made available through Ticketmaster.ca. 

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Here, as the newest member of the Indiana Fever, she’s learning how she’ll fit into this new offensive system, building chemistry with her new teammates and learning the nuances of what it means to be the WNBA’s highest-profile rookie.

Sure, Clark anticipates some bumps this season; she wouldn’t expect anything less. But giving the sport she loves her full attention is really all Clark ever wanted.

“I think that’s what I was most excited for, getting all that other stuff out of the way,” the former Iowa star said as Indiana’s training camp opened. “The draft was amazing, New York City was amazing, Los Angeles was amazing, but I was excited to get here and get back to playing basketball, you know, doing my job.”

Over the past two seasons, these WNBA rookies have created the kind of buzz around women’s basketball most fans only dreamed about, and Clark is undisputedly at the head of the class.

Ticket sales increased at every venue she appeared and when Clark’s games were televised, ratings spiked. Her chase of the Division I career scoring record captivated basketball fans across America and she appeared on “Saturday Night Live.”

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Henderson was chosen 20th overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA Draft, playing all 36 games in her rookie season, including five starts.

As a senior at the University of South Carolina, Henderson was a member of the 2022 National Championship team and earned individual First Team All-SEC Honors.

Henderson’s international accomplishments include winning gold at the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup with Team USA.

About Atlanta Dream:

The Atlanta Dream is a professional women’s basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, that strives to build a place where our team, our fans and our city come together to represent the community we seek to serve. We celebrate diversity, represent Atlanta, and empower women both on and off the court. The team currently plays home games at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park and has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in nine of its first 16 seasons. To learn more about the Dream and purchase 2024 season tickets, please visit dream.wnba.com/tickets or call 877-977-7729.

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ATLANTA, Ga. (April 22, 2024) – Demand has hit an all-time high for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream as the team announced that they sold out their season ticket allotment for the upcoming season and amassed record sales of single game tickets in their limited presale. The Atlanta Dream saw the largest single day of ticket sales Sunday, with five games already sold out in Gateway Center Arena.

The Dream are only the second team in league history to sell out their season ticket allotment, alongside the WNBA defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Single Game Tickets for all remaining games will go on sale to the general public Thursday, April 25 at 8 a.m. for all remaining games, and fans are encouraged to get their tickets while they are still available.

“After making the playoffs for the first time in five years last season, our fans have carried that momentum into 2024. Excitement around women’s sports, particularly basketball, is at an all-time high and nowhere is that felt more than here in Atlanta,” said Dream President and COO Morgan Shaw Parker. “We’ve continued a record-setting growth trajectory over the past three years under new ownership – both on and off the court – and 2024 is shaping up to be our best season yet.”

With season tickets sold out for the 2024 season, the Dream also announced the launch of their first ever season ticket waiting list for fans that want to be first in line when season tickets become available. Fans interested in joining the Dream Elite Priority List can sign up starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23.

Limited partial season packages and group tickets are still currently available and on sale now. All ticket information is available on www.atlantadream.com or directly on the ticket page at: dream.wnba.com/tickets.

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The 25-year-old shooting guard, hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, plays for Phoenix Mercury. Nurse is a rising star, having made Team Canada at 16, winning two NCAA championships by 20 and setting franchise records when she stepped onto the court during her WNBA rookie season. In 2019, Nurse was selected as a WNBA All-Star and now has her eyes set on the upcoming Olympic Games as a veteran leader on Team Canada. Recently, Nurse joined TSN as a basketball analyst for the Toronto Raptors broadcast.

“We are thrilled to have Kia Nurse join our team as a Tangerine ambassador to support youth in sport – something we believe is critical in building self-esteem and leadership in youth,” said Gillian Riley, President & CEO at Tangerine Bank. “As a rising star on the world stage, she is truly a role model who is helping pave the way for young girls to continue in sport.”

Tangerine has deep ties to basketball, with a commitment to supporting grassroots organizations like the YMCA and Lady Ballers, and through larger partners like the Toronto Raptors and the NBA. Tangerine is also making a donation of $15,000 to support Kia Nurse Elite, a project founded by Nurse to elevate young female basketball players for more skills development and recruitment opportunities.

“I’m excited to partner with the team at Tangerine and continue to encourage girls and women in sport as they develop skills both on and off the court,” said Kia Nurse. “It’s incredibly important for organizations to have conversations about how communities can come together through sport to not only learn life skills like teamwork and decision making, but also support diversity and inclusion to inspire change.”

About Tangerine Bank

Tangerine Bank is a digital bank that delivers simplified everyday banking to Canadians. With over 2 million Clients and close to $40 billion in total assets, it’s one of Canada’s leading digital banks. Tangerine Bank offers banking that’s flexible and accessible, products and services that are innovative, fair fees and award-winning Client service. From Savings Accounts to no-fee daily Chequing, Credit Cards, GICs, RSPs, TFSAs, Mortgages, lending products and Investment Funds through its subsidiary, Tangerine Investment Funds Limited, Tangerine Bank has the everyday banking products Canadians need. With over 1,000 employees in Canada, the bank’s presence spans its website and Mobile Banking app to its 24/7 Contact Centres and Toronto-based head office. Tangerine Bank was launched as ING DIRECT Canada in 1997. In 2012 Tangerine was acquired by Scotiabank, and operates independently as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

For more information, visit tangerine.ca.

About Kia Nurse Elite

Kia Nurse Elite is Canada’s only Nike-backed Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) program that plays on the Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit. Founded by Kia Nurse and her family, Kia Nurse Elite provides young, female players skills and the platform to elevate them for recruitment opportunities. For more information, visit kianurseelite.com.

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