The surge in interest in women’s basketball is outpacing even the WNBA’s ability to keep pace. In the preseason opener between the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx, the spotlight was on rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso making their league debuts.
WNBA Refused to Cover Game with Reese
Despite the WNBA’s streaming app promising coverage of all preseason games, the matchup wasn’t aired. However, a resourceful fan, @heyheyitsalli, took matters into their own hands, live-streaming the game from their cell phone while in attendance. The impromptu stream garnered over 400,000 views, showcasing the growing appetite for women’s basketball.
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Media Bias Hard At Work
The game concluded with a 92-81 victory for the Minnesota Lynx. The WNBA later clarified that only Caitlin Clark’s debut with the Indiana Fever was scheduled for broadcast on the app. @heyheyitsalli’s offer to stream the game drew significant attention, with the stream accumulating around 434,000 views by Saturday, peaking at 173,381 simultaneous viewers. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve commended @heyheyitsalli’s initiative, suggesting that each viewer should contribute “three bucks” to the streamer. Reeve emphasized the rapid growth of interest in the sport, indicating a need for adaptation within the industry.
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso Score Big
Reese acknowledged the importance of broadcasting games featuring star players like Caitlin Clark but emphasized the broader enthusiasm for the WNBA. She underscored the necessity for seizing this momentum to ensure sustained growth. On the court, Angel Reese notched 13 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes, while Kamilla Cardoso contributed six points and four rebounds in 13 minutes of play.
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