LOS ANGELES, CA – Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws) is as good as her word. While filling in as a guest host on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the legendary comedian, actress, and producer interviewed Los Angeles Sparks forward Chiney Ogwumike and promised she would attend the Sparks’ home game against the Minnesota Lynx this past weekend.
“Sunday we got a game Wanda,” Ogwumike said with a smile.
“I’ll be there,” Sykes responded without a hesitation. “My wife and I will be there.”
Sykes kept her promise to Chiney and showed up to the Sparks’ final home game before the month long Olympic break and sat courtside with her wife Alex and some other friends.
She even joined the L.A. Sparks Dance Crew during their routine in between quarters and showed off her dance moves even as the music got faster.
Sykes admitted to Ogwumike during her interview that she has been a supporter of the WNBA for a long time. She showed appreciation for what the league and its players did last summer using their platform to stand up for social justices and encouraging people to vote during several key elections.
However, she also enjoys the women’s game itself and wants to see its popularity grow.
“The game, I love it, it’s fun to watch,” Sykes said. “I don’t understand; how do we get more people involved in the game and show up to the games and support this league?”
It is a very good question from Sykes, and her presence at these games definitely helps to increase the popularity of the WNBA.
Much like when we saw NBA stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Damian Lillard, and NFL star Alvin Kamara show up to the Sparks/Aces game, a celebrity presence creates a buzz in these arenas.
The crowd was even going crazy when Bugs and Lola Bunny rolled through the Sparks/Lynx game in their Tune Squad uniforms to promote the movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy” set to come out this week.
It also entices more fans to want to come to more WNBA games, and in the process they will see the tremendous talent and skill of these players on full display.
