The WNBA Is Growing - but Are OG Fans Being Pushed Out? ...Middle East

I remember going to my first WNBA game, back in the day when no one quite knew what to make of a women's professional basketball league. It was an Los Angeles Sparks game at the Forum in Inglewood, CA, and hall-of-famer Lisa Leslie was the star of the show. The Sparks lost that night, but what was certain was that the WNBA had a loyal fan base, and the experience of the game, from the music, to the fan camaraderie, to the halftime dance performances (one year I made it to center court) - provided a deep sense of community.

Since then, the Sparks have won three WNBA championships (after relocating to Staples Center), and the league as a whole, within this last year, has experienced unprecedented growth, with ticket sales and game-day attendance skyrocketing. In other words, the WNBA is up, but I can't help but think about the rising costs of ticket prices, and how OG fans are being priced out of the game. Have you seen these ticket prices lately? The average cost is up 43 percent year-over-year in 2025, climbing from $122 in 2024 to $173 in 2025, according to Victory Live, a market analysis firm.

Since court superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese joined the WNBA league, women's professional basketball experienced its biggest gains in visibility, ratings, and fans in attendance. While an exciting time for the sport for current and former players to see what they worked for finally come to fruition, OG ticket holders have complained (and, rightfully so) about the rise of bandwagon fans, resulting in higher-priced tickets for many and a less enjoyable environment for some.

A Changing Dynamic

"I have been a fan since day one when the league got started. I love basketball and it's my favorite sport to play, watch, and coach," says certified OG WNBA fan, Temprah Harris from the Bay Area. "It's amazing to see where the league is today compared to when the league first started in 1997. However, this new WNBA visibility and exposure have played a big part in the ticket prices increasing."

The WNBA reported record attendance last season, with a total of over 2.3 million fans attending games, as well as selling out 154 games. This increase of WNBA viewership can be attributed to what has been dubbed the Caitlin Clark effect, or the Angel Reese effect, which capitalized on the rivalry between these two players from their collegiate days and then entering the WNBA draft during their rookie season.

Out of that, stemmed the bandwagon fan effect, where new fans suddenly became interested in the sport and in attending the games. While growth is usually something to celebrate, the rise in ticket costs and changing environment has caused tension between OGs and newbies.

"I feel for us, original fans of the league. At the games, I can tell who is a long-time loyal fan, and who is a bandwagon fan," says Harris. According to her, bandwagon fans tend to cheer for one specific player with no knowledge of the entire roster. They seem to only show up when a team has been on a winning streak. While "us OG fans, we show up and support no matter what. We know our team history, support our players, and coaching staff. During the game, OG fans can talk smack while also sharing team stats and facts. Newer fans can't engage in the same way, and don't always know what's going on."

Even the players are worried about the shift in fandom. "There are newer fans now trying to hop on a bandwagon, so it's hard to decipher between people who are genuinely trying to uplift us and people who are just trying to hop on - and it's unfortunate, especially with the ticket prices going up for the original fans," says Shakira Austin, WNBA player for Washington Mystics, who recently partnered with Tylenol through their sponsorship of the Women's Sports Foundation's 'Athlete Recovery and Care Commitment Grant.

Austin notes that even her own family of die-hard WNBA supporters wouldn't be able to attend some of her games today if it weren't for team perks. "My family would struggle to get some of those tickets if we didn't have our own tickets to give out so that they could attend. Even the resellers are buying up all the seats, and now a nosebleed seat can be an upward of $700 a ticket," Austin says.

With the influx of new fans, there's also been heightened safety concern. Last season, WNBA players reported in-person harassment and threats that were racist, sexist, and homophobic. "There have been people who call themselves fans, and yet they've destroyed our game and what is our safe space. While it's been great to have the exposure and for our game to finally get some recognition, however, it shouldn't come with this hatred where we as players don't feel safe - physically or psychologically," Austin says.

The league addressed this harassment by releasing a statement, ushering in charter flights for some teams, as well as increasing the presence of security at the games. "It's important to enjoy the game in a welcoming, safe, and fun environment, for the fans and especially for the players," Harris says.

What Does This Mean For the Future of the League?

The truth is: change is good. League growth is expected to continue with future team expansion in three cities, including the Golden State Valkyries and the Toronto Tempo, which will be the first non-US city, taking the total number of WNBA teams to 16 by 2028. Despite the concerns around cost and safety, everyone we spoke to agrees that the expansion and investment is still worth celebrating.

"Adding more teams is exciting, and this allows more players to try out for a WNBA team. We're ready for these amazing women to be recognized for their talents and receive great pay and benefits," Harris says.

Ultimately, expanding the league will be important for future sustainability. But let's hope the WNBA can find better ways to keep the tickets affordable and the environment safe so that OG fans, along with the growing newer fan base, can enjoy coming out to see these women play at the highest level. We all have to do our part, too - in bringing our best selves out to the games.

"I'm looking forward to the season, and I want the experience to be enjoyable for the true, genuine fans that support us," Austin says. As Harris awaits the season opener on May 16, with her tickets and game-day fit ready, she expresses a similar sentiment. Despite all of the change, "this season will be the best one yet."

Ralinda Watts is an author, diversity expert, consultant, practitioner, speaker, and proven thought leader who works at the intersection of race, identity, culture, and justice. She has contributed to numerous publications such as PS, CBS Media, Medium, YahooLifestyle, and the Los Angeles Times.

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