- Slug: Sports–WNBA Live. 622 words.
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By Mateo Arenas
Cronkite News
PHOENIX – In a year like no other for the WNBA, the sport’s monumental growth has impacted 2024 All-Star Weekend in a huge way.
WNBA All-Star weekend kicked off Friday at the Phoenix Convention Center with WNBA Live, an interactive fan experience in downtown Phoenix. The event set the ball rolling, ahead of Friday night’s 3-point contest and skills competition at Footprint Center. The two-day event gave fans an opportunity to dive into the WNBA world, in a season that has seen massive upticks in popularity for the league. The weekend’s festivities conclude with Saturday night’s WNBA All-Star game, in a Team USA vs. Team WNBA showdown.
While there have been events outside of the big game in the past – Phoenix is hosting it for the third time – this year’s WNBA All-Star Weekend looks different than previous displays. Josie Dumlao, a diehard Seattle Storm fan who goes by @stormcraziefanframe on Instagram due to the neon green sign frame she brings to home games, observed a stark difference from last year’s WNBA Live in Las Vegas.
“There’s a lot of stuff to do this year, compared to last year for Las Vegas,” Dumlao said. “I noticed it’s bigger and there’s a lot more activations, especially for meet-and-greets and stuff like that.
“It seems like, with the newer rookies that started this year, like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, there’s a lot more people impacted by the WNBA, and it’s fun seeing a lot of people getting into it, especially if it’s their first time watching.”
Friday’s meet-and-greets were star studded, headlined by Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson. Fans had the opportunity to get autographs, take pictures and chat with their favorite players. Other activities consisted of a 3-point contest modeled after Friday night’s Starry 3-Point Contest, various photo opportunities and a plethora of merchandise.
The large variety of merchandise at the event may seem normal for most sporting weekends, but Kelly Sevier, a Mercury fan who has attended six WNBA All-Star Games, noted it marked a key difference from previous years.
“It’s going to sound weird but all the merchandise,” said Sevier, when asked about her favorite part of the event. “I know that contributes to (players’) money.”
Sevier, who also attended her first All-Star game in 2014 and also the showcase last year in Las Vegas, said the 2023 festivities set a new standard for WNBA All-Star Weekend.
“I think this is comparable to Vegas last year, I think that was a huge step up,” Sevier said. “There’s no going back, because all of the rest have been really small.”
As more eyes are on the league than ever, WNBA All-Star voting increased 600% from 2023 to 2024. A sold-out crowd of 18,422 is expected at Footprint Center Saturday night, as fans look forward to watching Clark and Reese and the rest of Team WNBA face off against veterans on the U.S. Women’s National Team such as Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Alyssa Thomas ahead of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
Kate Theisen, a Minnesota Lynx fan whose All-Star venture this year coincided with a work trip, also noticed a contrast from previous years she attended.
“(WNBA Live) is super great. I think it’s really elevated from years past, which is amazing to see as the league has grown,” Theisen said. “It’s great to see a lot of women’s brands front and center too. Truthfully, just walking around seeing all the young fans getting to experience this (has been her favorite part).”
WNBA Live continues Saturday with free admission, open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game tips off at the Footprint Center at 5:30 p.m., for the third time on the Valley’s stage.
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