WNBA All Star Game Needs New Home

[Wbbfan1]

ESPN - Link

Rebecca has tweeted to hold the game either in Minneapolis or Indianapolis next. The WNBA game won't be a fan experience until the WNBA can get corporate sponsors or the NBA to host events, booths etc in conjunction with the game. I will agree not holding the game at a casino would be a more friendly family experience.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Both this and the other linked article in the thread about the Big East flavor of the game are among the better and well thought out pieces I have read. The comments from the various players reflect very highly on them.

 

[hoophuskee]

I'm a bit old so a bit out of touch. All-star games do nothing for me as a fan. I'm a NBA fan and if I watch 2 minutes - that's a lot. Similar with baseball all-star. Despite the Home Run contest. Football all-pro game- not even 1 second. I don't understand how an exhibition game can attract fans.

I'd like to see more thought in getting quality regular season games on ESPN2. Fro example, Tulsa shouldn't be on. Neither should Washington (though Wash has had a surprising year. But early in year they were projected a bad team. SO hwy ever have them on ESPN this year? And Tulsa was not projected to be a playoff team. SO to start the year- we get the privelage of a Wash - Tulsa matchup.

 

[katiecrum1992]

Both Minneapolis and Indiana have good fan bases, so that would draw a lot of people.

 

[katiecrum1992]

I'm a bit old so a bit out of touch. All-star games do nothing for me as a fan. I'm a NBA fan and if I watch 2 minutes - that's a lot. Similar with baseball all-star. Despite the Home Run contest. Football all-pro game- not even 1 second. I don't understand how an exhibition game can attract fans.

I'd like to see more thought in getting quality regular season games on ESPN2. Fro example, Tulsa shouldn't be on. Neither should Washington (though Wash has had a surprising year. But early in year they were projected a bad team. SO hwy ever have them on ESPN this year? And Tulsa was not projected to be a playoff team. SO to start the year- we get the privelage of a Wash - Tulsa matchup.

Phoenix has been on a ton this year and this hasn't been their best season.
And Tulsa is on because of Diggins.

 

[UcMiami]

I'm a bit old so a bit out of touch. All-star games do nothing for me as a fan. I'm a NBA fan and if I watch 2 minutes - that's a lot. Similar with baseball all-star. Despite the Home Run contest. Football all-pro game- not even 1 second. I don't understand how an exhibition game can attract fans.

I'd like to see more thought in getting quality regular season games on ESPN2. Fro example, Tulsa shouldn't be on. Neither should Washington (though Wash has had a surprising year. But early in year they were projected a bad team. SO hwy ever have them on ESPN this year? And Tulsa was not projected to be a playoff team. SO to start the year- we get the privelage of a Wash - Tulsa matchup.

I agree - I think their time has come and gone - In the old days before so many games were televised it provided a chance for fans to see live players they might never get a chance to see in their home arena/stadium/ballpark. Now, with so many games broadcast and all the sports highlight programs you can see any player you want. And with all the free agency player movement - heck wait two years and that player is likely to be on your home town team!

 

[hoophuskee]

Phoenix has been on a ton this year and this hasn't been their best season.
And Tulsa is on because of Diggins.

Phoenix SHOULD be on a ton this year. So should LA and Minny and Atlanta and Indiana. It’s understandable why CT would be – Jones loss kind of set the team way back, then the injuries to the guards so they probably couldn’t have known. But to start the season and have Tulsa and Wash is a joke. Diggins was the the 3rd overall pick, significant not near as good as Griner or EDD. No way if you want to promote the game you look to highlight a bad team and the rookie Diggins. Diggins can’t shoot. Diggins can’t shoot. Diggins can’t shoot. The WNBA braintrust had to understand that. In time she’ll probably be special in WNBA – but not her rookie year.

Last year only reason CHiSKY didn’t make playoffs was injuires. The WNBA had to know with EDD they’d be really, really, really good. They should be shown “a ton” too. Show Diggins vs. one of the “super six” but NOT as a highlight yet.

You want to “promote the game” to my fellow male buddies, they can give a hoot where Diggins came from. They want to see exciting basketball. EDD can shoot. Griner can dunk. You’re not going to be able to promote the game by highlighting Diggins as a general rule unless she shows she is special at something which won’t happen early in her rookie year. For the start of the season, to have one of the 2 games you show to be Tulsa vs. Wash just wreaks of incompetency.

If you are incompetent at a high level, it doesn’t matter what you do about the exhibition all-star game. The game won’t grow.

 

[katiecrum1992]

Phoenix has had more of their games broadcast. I live in California so they're the closest team next to the Sparks.
I've only seen Minnesota play once this year against Atlanta, I love watching them. They just seem to click really well. I'm thinking the finals will be Minnesota and Chicago.

 

[katiecrum1992]

Phoenix has been on a ton this year and this hasn't been their best season.
And Tulsa is on because of Diggins.

Phoenix SHOULD be on a ton this year. So should LA and Minny and Atlanta and Indiana. It’s understandable why CT would be – Jones loss kind of set the team way back, then the injuries to the guards so they probably couldn’t have known. But to start the season and have Tulsa and Wash is a joke. Diggins was the the 3rd overall pick, significant not near as good as Griner or EDD. No way if you want to promote the game you look to highlight a bad team and the rookie Diggins. Diggins can’t shoot. Diggins can’t shoot. Diggins can’t shoot. The WNBA braintrust had to understand that. In time she’ll probably be special in WNBA – but not her rookie year.

Last year only reason CHiSKY didn’t make playoffs was injuires. The WNBA had to know with EDD they’d be really, really, really good. They should be shown “a ton” too. Show Diggins vs. one of the “super six” but NOT as a highlight yet.

You want to “promote the game” to my fellow male buddies, they can give a hoot where Diggins came from. They want to see exciting basketball. EDD can shoot. Griner can dunk. You’re not going to be able to promote the game by highlighting Diggins as a general rule unless she shows she is special at something which won’t happen early in her rookie year. For the start of the season, to have one of the 2 games you show to be Tulsa vs. Wash just wreaks of incompetency.

If you are incompetent at a high level, it doesn’t matter what you do about the exhibition all-star game. The game won’t grow.

Neither Diggins or Tulsa are making much of an impact. But she seems to draw people to watch games so the leagues rolling with it.
And I've seen every team play at least once and I just have a few sports channels. But the league isn't huge so its not difficult.