In a weekend that saw the "successful launch" of the
WNBA, the Mercury-Sting "drew the largest crowd in the
league" on Sunday as 16,102 attended America West Arena on
Sunday, according to Richard Ruelas of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC.
The figure set an attendance record for a women's pro
basketball game in the U.S. (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 6/23). In
L.A. on Saturday, the Liberty-Sparks game in the league's
debut drew 14,284. The team ran a two-for-one promotion on
a certain number of tickets for the game. In Cleveland,
11,455 attended the Comets-Rockers game, and in Utah, a
sellout of 8,915 witnessed the Monarchs-Starzz game
(WASHINGTON POST, 6/22). ESPN's Keith Olbermann: "If there
were actually 14,284 at that game Saturday, most of them
must have been trapped in the bathroom" (6/22).
REVIEWS OF L.A. STORY: Among media reaction to the
Liberty-Sparks game on Saturday at the Great Western Forum:
In Chicago, Michael Hirsley: "While the historic game lacked
finesse and scoring, it had speed, aggressive defense and
abundant physical contact. ... The announced crowd ...
seemed to appreciate the effort" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/22).
In Dallas, Marc Stein: "[T]here could be no major complaints
about its inaugural game. Play was ragged ... but the size
and noise of the audience seemed to overshadow the details"
(DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/22). In N.Y., Lyle Spencer: "The
anxiety level in the grand debut definitely was higher than
the performance level" (N.Y. POST, 6/22). Also in N.Y., Vic
Ziegel: "[T]he next bunch of games WNBA teams play will be a
lot better than the first. Better be better" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 6/22). The DAILY NEWS' Tara Sullivan: "[T]he level of
play lagged behind the hype" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/22).
NEWSDAY's Shaun Powell: "Opening day for the WNBA was
everything the league could have hoped for, yet nothing it
could depend on" (NEWSDAY, 6/22). In Philadelphia, Bob
Ford: "[I]t wasn't a great basketball game, but it held the
promise of better things to come. ... If the games get
steadily better, the league has a chance. If not, well, it
was a heck of a marketing campaign" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER,
6/22). In San Antonio, Kevin O'Keeffe: "It's obvious the
level of [play] must improve as the year continues" (S.A.
EXPRESS-NEWS, 6/22). In San Diego, Ed Graney: "[T]hey
better play a whole lot better than yesterday. It wasn't
good basketball, not at all" (S.D. UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/22). In
S.F., under the header, "A Glitzy Opener For WNBA," Gwen
Knapp: "The basketball was flat and sloppy, filled with
missed lay ups and weird turnovers. 'Showtime' occurred
primarily on the periphery, among the 14,284 spectators"
(S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/22). USA TODAY's David Leon Moore: "The
sloppy play was about the only disappointment of opening day
for WNBA President Val Ackerman" (USA TODAY, 6/23).
MAGIC'S MOMENT: Magic Johnson, on the Liberty-Sparks
game at the L.A. Forum: "This is the first time I've seen so
many families here ... and I think it's going to be here for
a long, long time" ("WNBA on NBC," 6/21). Also in
attendance in L.A. were filmmaker Penny Marshall,
Christopher Darden and Tyra Banks (L.A. TIMES, 6/22).
REAX: In Salt Lake, Loren Jorgensen: "[T]he first ever
WNBA game in Utah can only be described as a roaring
success." Outside the Delta Center, scalpers were getting
$40 for a $15 ticket. One broker: "There's some money to be
made here tonight" (DESERET NEWS, 6/22). In Salt Lake, Brad
Rock: "True to form, Saturday night's event was straight out
of the NBA's book of overkill. All the promotional tools
were in use. ... it was clear the WNBA intends to be taken
seriously. And it was also clear that if the league doesn't
last, it won't be for lack of promotion" (DESERET NEWS,
6/22). In Akron, Michael Weinreb on the Comets-Rockers
game: "These are the memories that will last: The rafters
shaking, and the seats rattling, and the noise at Gund Arena
that was so deafening you would have thought the Cavs had
just won the NBA Championship" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 6/22).
