As each WNBA season passes and one begins anew, I find myself wanting to shout from the proverbial hilltop. I envision yelling through a megaphone, “Give the WNBA a chance! You’re missing out!”
It’s tough, because the league is forced to organically regenerate the extraordinary momentum it gains by the end of each season. Many teams have to start from scratch, and it’s amazing to see the progress made as the WNBA Finals wind down.
For example, last year, the WNBA postseason averaged 9,596 spectators per game, making it the highest-attended postseason since 2010 (10,822) and up double digits (+10.1%) over last season (8,719). Additionally, the WNBA set new records across its social media platforms during the postseason with 246 million impressions (+33.9%), 47 million video views (+109.6%) and 20 million actions (+161.2%) over last season.
All of the buzz led to record sales on WNBAStore.com, an increase of 38% over 2016.
Those are just a few of the impressive stats and figures we could quote to scientifically correlate signs of growth and progress.
But as 2018 is set to tip-off, I feel vividly… different.
That is to say, I just want to enjoy the season. Revel in it. Every single game. Be a true fan again!
I want to watch the WNBA – and specifically the Connecticut Sun – because it’s a beautiful, poetic type of basketball. I want to watch because the league stands for something bigger than myself.
I want to watch because for each ticket purchased, the WNBA will donate $5 to one of six organizations of the fans’ choosing in addition to a ticket to send a young woman or girl to a game to inspire her by the strength, talent and leadership of the women of the WNBA.
I want to watch because I love it.
If you’re a Sun fan, which I assume you are if you’re reading this, you have a legitimate chance at seeing your team not just in the postseason, but (dare I say?) in the WNBA Finals.
(Yeah, I said it.)
You’re featuring the returning WNBA Coach of the Year in Curt Miller. Under Miller’s direction, the Sun finished second in the league in scoring (86.0 ppg) and rebounding (36.7 rpg), third in offensive rating (105.5 points per 100 possessions) and fourth in defensive rating (100.1 points allowed per 100 possessions).
At the risk of sounding redundant, those are phenomenal accomplishments.
Plus, based on this year’s GMs survey, the Sun was voted as the most fun team to watch in the entire WNBA (with 50% of the total votes) and you may even boast the league’s MVP in Jonquel Jones.
But, again, regardless of how impressive they are, those are just thoughts, numbers and predictions.
Ultimately, going to a game, having a great time and sharing your experience with others will be the difference-maker in terms of where the league (and the Sun) go from here.
Sometimes, as WNBA fans and supporters, we get caught up with the attention the WNBA and its 12 teams receive… or don’t receive – which is a valid concern.
Maybe I’m just getting older, but I’m choosing to enjoy the hell out of the Sun and the WNBA this year.
The more we (established fans) enjoy it, the more others (new fans) will, too.
Be there tomorrow at 1 p.m. when it all gets started!