LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Sparks had a tough home stand going 0-3 against two of the best teams in the league in the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm. While the final scores didn’t equal a Sparks win, the fans certainly got more than they bargained for at each of these games.
Just like at a Lakers game, the Sparks games this past week were a landing spot for high-profile stars. In this case, it was NBA and NFL stars that got people reaching for their phones to try and get a snap shot or video of three-time champion and Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard, New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara, former Lakers guard Quinn Cook, and the “King” himself, Lakers superstar LeBron James sitting courtside and even chatting with some of the WNBA players.
Even well-respected Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy made an appearance in the second meeting between the Sparks and Aces. The week before that Lakers All-Star forward Anthony Davis arrived with Cook, J.R. Smith, and Alfonso McKinnie when the Sparks played the Washington Mystics.
Naturally, social media was buzzing after fans saw the interaction between Lillard and James which will for sure create a storyline for the NBA offseason.
All of that buzz that occurred at the Sparks’ games even got national media attention. While the focus of those stories weren’t on the Sparks/Aces games, there’s still a positive with all of those stars showing up to a WNBA game on a Wednesday night in late June: it gets more people watching.
The WNBA could use more eyeballs on their games as they continue to find ways to grow the audience, the league, and the brand as a whole. If more NBA players or stars from other leagues, past and present, show up to these games, it adds another dynamic to it.
Even head coach/GM Derek Fisher, a former five-time champion and 18-year NBA veteran, acknowledges the significance of these star players showing up to these games and providing support to the league and the players.
“I think it’s really important that the support comes in from the guys that play in the NBA,” Fisher said. “These are their sisters to be honest. The leagues are joined together in a lot of ways. You can tell guys are starting to take that seriously. They feel they need to come out and show love and show support. We appreciate it here in LA. I think the players appreciate it, I know our fans appreciate it. It’s important to continue to grow this game.”
“When they stamp something, they validate something, I think other people around the world tend to pay closer attention to it,” Fisher continued.
Sparks guard Te’a Cooper was actually able to spend time with James and some the other Lakers players during the Bubble last year.
“It’s always nice to see all of their faces,” Cooper said. “When you get love from that side, it’s a great feeling to see them sitting there, supporting us. It’s all love from each side.”
Center Amanda Zahui B. also commented on the NBA’s presence at WNBA games.
“It’s great that they are coming out,” Zahui B. said. “My boy J.R. (Smith) came to the last home game (on June 24). It’s always fun to see them, they appreciate our game. It’s not something we focus on; when they’re out here, they’re spectators and fans just like any other human and we appreciate all of them. It’s great when they come out here, and we wish they can come to more games.”
The focus should always be on the WNBA game; however, if fans can get a quick snap of some of NBA or NFL greats, or any other celebrities while attending, it’s an obvious bonus. The chain reaction of these iconic figures showing up to a game will always be positive no matter how you slice it, and will hopefully culminate in the growing popularity of the sport and increase the viewership.
