Parker leads a group of players that will meet with kids from the WNBA's the Junior All-Stars programNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The Minnesota Lynx are hosting the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time Saturday, and the team has already sold out the lower bowl of Target Center and is close to hitting the overall goal for the arena. Lynx VP/Business Operations Carley Knox said that she is optimistic about the possibility of the first sell-out crowd in WNBA All-Star Game history. Knox: “We’re getting close … I would love to sell out the entire arena and have the largest crowd ever for a WNBA All-Star Game.” Despite Minneapolis having hosted Super Bowl LII in February, Knox said that the Lynx have had no problem getting local businesses to partner with them in hosting the All-Star Game. The Lynx have created a program to serve underprivileged kids as part of the game. The Junior All-Stars program will give 10 underprivileged kids a chance to practice with the All-Star teams, led by Washington Mystics F Elena Delle Donne and L.A. Sparks F Candace Parker, as well as attend the game itself. The Junior All-Stars will also be introduced at the contest and honored in-game. Knox said, “We’re really excited about these incredible children that are really inspiring to be connected to some of the best players in the world and get VIP treatment for the weekend.”
ADDRESSING THE ISSUES: Delle Donne this week said the WNBA must do a better job of marketing itself and its star players. Knox, when asked what she believes the league could do, said, “It starts with grassroots marketing and really engaging in the community and getting people to understand that this is more than just coming to a basketball game and that it really is a societal movement that we’re a part of. We’re trendsetters.”
