Poet Christopher Owens, also known as Truth B. Told, recently "purchased the entire 7,000-seat upper level at Talking Stick Resort Arena" for the WNBA Phoenix Mercury's season opener on May 31, according to Jeff Metcalfe of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Now, Owens is "selling the tickets at a discount for $2-$5 though his company Culture Phx with a goal of having a sold-out arena for a nationally televised game." The Mercury have "been among the WNBA attendance leaders since their inception but only once have they completely sold out a home game," the inaugural regular season finale in '97 which drew 17,747 fans. Owens said he has "never understood the disparity (vs. men's basketball attendance), but the tide seems to be turning." He said, "I want Phoenix to give the Mercury the sellout they deserve." Owens is "seeking sponsors to buy 50-ticket packages, at a bargain of $100, so 50 girls basketball teams and their families can attend." He also is "selling single tickets for $5 and a 3-ticket package for $10." Owens said that he was "able to purchase the tickets at a discounted rate because the upper level for Mercury games is rarely used." He added that he "hopes to break even or even make a profit and perhaps repeat the promotion for the regular-season finale on Sept. 8." Owens will be "donating 15% of whatever he makes to School of HipHop PHX" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/8).
