She has the 10th best selling jersey in the WNBA

[HuskyNan]

💙🐾🏀

 

[RockyMTblue2]

When she was under consideration I had my doubts. That did not last very far into the season. Very much a champion. Glad she came along for the ride.

 

[Centerstream]

Wow!!!! I am impressed!!!!

 

[Kaizen]

She reminds me of Saniya Chong. Both are my favorite player.

 

[MilfordHusky]

KC doesn't get into every game, but she is the most active cheerleader on the bench.

 

[HuskyNan]

Kaitlyn has a fella, another Princeton Tiger

Caden Shapiro Signs With Pittsburgh Pirates - Princeton University Athletics

PRINCETON - Caden Shapiro was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

goprincetontigers.com

 

[Cuango]

Question; how much of a factor will this jersey thing and her massive fan support be when it comes time to either resign her or let her go? Anyone have any comments on this?

 

[WiseWillie]

Question; how much of a factor will this jersey thing and her massive fan support be when it comes time to either resign her or let her go? Anyone have any comments on this?

I think you asking the question in that way, Cuango, kind of prompts an answer that says not much. Beloved players will be traded or let go to facilitate roster strategies. Fans might voice their frustration but the W is a business and sentimental attachments don't play into it.

With that said, I plus many Husky fans enjoyed watching Kaitlin this past year with UConn and her solid play at PG throughout the Final Four. Whether she continues in the W with Golden State or somewhere else I wish her only the best.

 

[ucmiami2]

It is an interesting question. The WNBA is a business and success on the court is an important driver of the popularity of a team, and therefore its cash flow. So she isn't winning a spot based on her stellar play - she has played in 23 games (just over half the season) and averages 10 minutes per game when she plays. She isn't winning games for the team, and also not losing them - basically neutral and likely playing minutes mostly in blow-out wins or losses. She gets 2 pts on 2 shots, 1 reb, 1 asst, and 1 TO per game, while getting 1 steal every 4 games. Again a pretty neutral effect. And not dissimilar to many young end of the bench players. She is 'competent' and the upside is limited.

On the plus side of the equation she is a big fan draw - likely equal to any of the teams star players, and has brought into the team's fan base a new ethnic group that represent 27% of the local population, and probably a percentage from outside that local area.

That said, what do teams usually get from their tenth, eleventh, and twelfth positions on the roster? It is generally young developmental players who contribute little and are only there for their 'potential.' Their per minute stats are probably very similar as are their usage. And I would suspect none of them have a fan following similar to Chen's. So Chen's roster spot is a 'churn' position as new players join the league and the 'potential' of the previous year's players proves a chimera.

She is not going to be expensive to keep, she is a positive teammate, she has a strong fan base some of whom will disappear if she isn't on the team, and her replacement would not be likely to provide anything more than she does. If the positional value for her spot is neutral (guards vs, forwards/centers) why not keep her and keep that 27% of the population engaged. And while I say her potential is limited, it is not 'non-existent' - she is smart, quick, can shot and defend, and knows what 'good basketball' looks like. And she will never be a locker room problem.

 

[Dugway]

She absolutely is a fan favorite. Having been at three home games this season, I can attest that there is no other player on the team who receives a louder applause when entering the game for the first time.

“Substituting in for Veronica Burton, nummmber two, Kaitlyn Chennnn!” and the 18,000 in attendance go absolutely biszerk. (Don’t know how to spell that last word) 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[WiseWillie]

Kaitlin in San Fran is about as admired as Nika in Seattle, both of whom are loved by fans many who might get more than a little loud when either one enters a game despite neither one getting much playing time. Maybe the W needs to have a new award: "Berserk Fan Favorite". 😄

 

[ShmiCO]

What's her post game autograph/selfie line like? Lots of young fans and their families? Even if she doesn't play much that could have a notable impact on attendance.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Dugway]

What's her post game autograph/selfie line like? Lots of young fans and their families? Even if she doesn't play much that could have a notable impact on attendance.

I really can't attest to this one. I am kinda a fat middle aged guy, not even going to attempt to compete with the legion of little girls for an autograph from KC or PB. Although, thinking about it, I guess I could push a few of them down and get right to the front of the line!😃

But in reality, when the game is over, we head for the exit. I honestly don't think that I've ever even looked back at the court.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I will always hope there is room on a roster for the "people's choice" type of player!
They add so much to the team/game situation for the crowd to really let go for a favorite even though they may not be a leader in the scorebook!

 

[HopJim]

Question; how much of a factor will this jersey thing and her massive fan support be when it comes time to either resign her or let her go? Anyone have any comments on this?

Seems straightforward if we knew how many jerseys and other swag were sold. If it's a limited number over a lengthy period of time, probably will not affect any personnel decisions. Per an AI search I did, while the WNBA does not publish numbers, they report merchandise sales are up 500% this year with player specific sales up 1000%. Does this demonstrate how low past sales have been or how high future sales will be? Probably not enough data today to make any projection.

 

[HuskyNan]

https://www.kcra.com/article/kaitlyn-chen-valkyries-most-popular-players-wnba/66017671