[Chris Francis]
THE WNBA WILL MAKE HISTORY NEXT SEASON, PLAYING THEIR FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME OUTSIDE THE U.S. THE SEATTLE STORM AND ATLANTA DREAM WILL PLAY AT ROGERS ARENA IN VANCOUVER, CANADA ON AUGUST 15TH.
THE WNBA HAS PLAYED TWO *PRESEASON GAMES NORTH OF THE BORDER. IN 2023, THE CHICAGO SKY AND MINNESOTA LYNX PLAYED IN TORONTO AND LAST SEASON SEATTLE BEAT THE LA SPARKS IN EDMONTON.
BOTH THOSE “CANADA GAMES” WERE SELLOUTS. THE JUMP TO THE REGULAR SEASON IS A CHANCE TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT SUCCESS AS WELL AS BUILD ON RECORD ATTENDANCE AND VIEWERSHIP NUMBERS THE LEAGUE EXPERIENCED IN 2024.
IN A STATEMENT WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERY SAID “The WNBA Canada Game has been a tremendous opportunity to grow our league’s footprint.”
THE SUCCESS OF PLAYERS LIKE AJ’A WILSON AND BREANNA STEWART COMBINED WITH THE EMERGENCE OF NEW STARS LIKE CAITLIN CLARK AND ANGEL REESE HAS SPARKED UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH. NEXT SEASON THE LEAGUE WILL ADD A 13TH TEAM, THE GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES. IN 2026, TWO MORE TEAMS WILL JOIN, IN PORTLAND AND TORONTO.
ENGLEBERT’S STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THE MOVE NORTH. “As we prepare to establish permanent roots in Canada with a Toronto franchise, this game and our year-round engagement efforts are a nod to the incredible momentum around women’s basketball in Canada.”
MOMENTUM, NOT JUST IN CANADA BUT WORLDWIDE. IN JULY, THE LEAGUE AGREED TO A NEW TV RIGHTS DEAL WORTH $2.2 BILLION OVER 11 YEARS WHICH LED TO EXPANSION. NEXT ON THE DOCKET IS A NEW UNION CONTRACT WITH THE PLAYERS – DUE IN 2025. FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M CHRIS FRANCIS
