Make Some Noise.
That's what the giant screen at State Farm Arena flashed in front of a sellout crowd of 17,000 fans on Thursday afternoon, a matinee game for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals. Media across the spectrum complained about the lack of respect that women were getting. Keyboard warriors on social media snickered and typed "who even cares about women's basketball" while giving away how much they were clearly paying attention.
Who cares? The WNBA's millions of fans do. And if the energy and excitement and presence at each game of the WNBA Finals are any indication, the future of the league is as bright as a supernova. Thousands and thousands of fans are packing out arenas for each game of the Finals, in support of both the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream.
"Make Some Noise" indeed.
Game 6 was hopping
Everyone convinced that moving Game 6 to a 12:30 PM ET tip had to get quiet real fast when State Farm Arena sold out for the matinee affair. Fans streamed into the arena in droves at lunchtime to support their Atlanta Dream.
The energy in the arena was electric - fans didn't just show up, they came for a show. The players clearly fed off the energy, turning to the crowd to celebrate, waving their hands and connecting with the thousands of fans screaming for their success, a symbiotic relationship of the best kind.
The 17,000 fans got multiple shows as well, because Atlanta's music scene was present as well. Usher was in attendance. T-Pain stomped around the court during halftime, telling the crowd, "All I do is win-win-win no matter what!" Step away to go to the bathroom during a timeout, and you would miss Crime Mob or Gunna stepping onto the court to do a mini concert. Earlier games in the series featured Quavo and T.I. performing.
"Balhalla" is the name for the Golden State Valkyries' home arena, and that has been the most electric arena in the league all season. Athletes and celebrities from Stephen Curry to Zendaya have been cheering on the Valkyries in the Finals thus far, joining a packed-out Chase Center in each of Golden State's home games thus far. Game 7 should continue their streak of selling out every single game of the season thus far.
The WNBA's future is bright
Fans care about the WNBA, and they don't need people with a microphone or a Twitter account to get angry on their behalf, nor does it matter when small people try to say big, hurtful things on the Internet. The proof is in the pudding: the WNBA has fans showing up and exulting in high-level, high-stakes basketball.
Angel Reese is a rising star in the league, but these two teams are not the most star-studded groups. Their fans, however, are perhaps the most committed in the league, and these Finals have showcased that devotion in a way that should be infectious for other franchises and fan bases. How can they match the level of these seven games?
A do-or-die Game 7 is the fitting end to this series, and it will happen with thousands of fans cheering in person and millions watching from home. The WNBA continues to Make Some Noise, and it's only going to get louder.
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