For the second time this year, enthusiasm for WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever drove record-setting attendance at an Atlanta Dream game.
A WNBA in Georgia record 17,608 tickets were sold for last night’s matchup. That’s 33 more than were sold for the Fever game in June.
Outside State Farm Arena before tip-off, as a drumline performed, fans queued up wearing gear showing off support for both teams.
Michelle O’Hegarty showed up in her Indiana T-shirt. She said Clark’s an amazing player.
(Peter Biello/GPB News)
“She has a positive attitude,” O’Hegarty said. “She brings a great face to women’s basketball. My daughters are basketball players. And she just inspires so many young people.”
O’Hegarty came with her friend Ramonica Harton of Smyrna, who was wearing an Atlanta Dream shirt. She said their friendship would survive, no matter who won.
“We’ve already agreed!” Barton said. “We came close to saying she wasn’t going to speak to me or even sit with me, but we’re gonna be friends.”
“Yeah, as long as she’s cheering for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, we’re going to be great,” said O’Hegarty.
Also in line was Linda Northington of Atlanta, who said it’s great people are jumping on the Clark bandwagon.
“And so many young people are coming to the game now,” she said. “More women want to play basketball. More women want to play all kinds of sports. So yes, this is absolutely the best.”
Lily Jones of Atlanta came to the game with her dad. She says she wasn’t as interested in basketball before she saw Clark play.
“But now I’m way interested,” she said. “I play. Sometimes I do it at my house.”
Monday’s game included a celebration of the 1996 USA women’s Olympic basketball team, during which they were given credit for making Atlanta the birthplace of the WNBA. And performing at halftime: hip hop legends Goodie Mob.
The game itself was disappointing for Atlanta fans. The Dream fell to the Fever 84 to 79. Clark led the Fever with seven assists and Tina Charles led the Dream with a season-high 28 points, eight rebounds and one assist.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Indiana on Sunday, Sept. 8.
This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with GPB News
