I just went to my first WNBA game to watch the New York Liberty. I’m firmly on the bandwagon now because it was fantastic. I can see why women’s sports are a growth investment area around the world and why we’re at a breakthrough. If 44-year-old life-long NBA fans like me are showing up at women’s games, it’s a good sign and I’ll be back.
The crowd was very different from a men’s NBA crowd, and in a good way. There were a lot of LGBTQ folks, everyone was well dressed and seemed clever and curious. I took a book along for the subway ride and people asked me what I was reading. When they put the camera onto New York author and writer Fran Lebowitz, 10,000 people cheered. I thought, “nobody would know who she is at a regular NBA game!”
The crowd at a WNBA game is more like I envision the future of America to be. More diverse. More self-aware, live-and-let-live, and self-assured. More engaging and more fun. Also, the mascot for the New York Liberty, “Ellie”, is an elephant with what I would describe as “Cardi-B energy”. There was a dust-up between two players and Ellie’s handlers had to hold her back, at one point. It was a performance like watching pro wrestling. There was an infectious lack of restraint there.
Yes, the top tiers at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn were out of use. The crowd was half the size of a Nets game. But the atmosphere was electric. I also paid my friend $40 for the ticket and we were right next to the court. No need to squeeze into the nosebleeds for a glimpse of the action.
This week, new WNBA player Caitlin Clark has been in the news. She’s drawn a lot of attention since joining the league. There are a host of reasons why, both positive and negative. Broadly speaking, yes, she’s a great player, but she’s also straight and white, which accounts for inflated mass media interest and exposes media bias against players of different identities. I can see that.
Then on Monday, ESPN host Pat McAffee called Clark a “white b____”. Which is not okay. It’s misogynist and stokes racial division. It’s drawn appropriate criticism. It’s also reflective of much of the subtextual hostility Clark has faced in the league from other players. Breaking news: America has a few challenges with racism and LGBTQ integration. Commentators who used to focus on the men’s game are being drawn into the WNBA because of Clark’s star status. But they’re making missteps which uncover some of the old bias in sports broadcasting. The more it’s exposed, the quicker it expires.
They also say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, and I agree. Although I do sympathize with Clark because as a new star, she is bound to stir up some jealousy. I worry that the attention will be too much for one person and that it will traumatize her. Then again, she’s a strong talent, and she’s being paid handsomely in sponsorships which will probably pay for a lot of therapy. She doesn’t seem too fragile to me and that’s a good thing.
This is all complex stuff but ultimately, I believe that the future of the WNBA will be positive for all of America. Even if there are a few more scraps along the way. That’s the story of this country. Progress isn’t always linear and sometimes it can get a little ugly. Basketball, on the other hand, is always awesome. Always.
—Matt Davis is a communications consultant and writer for a wide variety of clients. He also teaches yoga and lives with his wife and son in New York.
