She got game

I ran across a WNBA game on ESPN2 last week, and after I got past the initial depression from realizing the league had a TV contract and the NHL does not, I remembered that I had set out to see a WNBA game this summer. \nWith the season dwindling and my Indiana Fever team peaking, I decided to make the trip to Indianapolis watch the best team in the league, the Fever, square off against the next best team in the league and last year’s WNBA champions, the Detroit Shock.\nBut before I could hop into my car, drive downtown and sit in the stands with the intention of describing my sabbatical for all five of my fans to read, I needed to know a little more about the league.\nSo I Googled the WNBA and started researching. After reading many different sites, I was able to find some good information. But some of the numbers I ran across were shocking.\nThe WNBA has a salary cap of $728,000 for the 2007 season with the maximum for any one player being $93,000. The NBA minimum for a player who has played at least two years in the league is $744,551 for the 2006-2007 season. Basically, the player sitting on the injured reserve for an NBA team is making more money than the entire Fever team.\nAlso, the fan base is small. Most teams averaged 6,000 to 7,000 fans a game during the 2004 season, making most arenas block off the nosebleed sections. \nBut I figured the numbers can’t say it all. I had to see the game, a full game (not the first half of the inaugural Fever game I saw in 2000) for myself before I could judge.\nSo I hopped into my car, drove downtown and parked in the garage. I headed into the stadium to get to my seat. I found my seat and watched the players take the floor. \nAs the game progressed, my mouth started dropping more and more. I was shocked that I was watching fundamental basketball at its finest. It was like watching the European teams play but with shorter shorts and less flopping.\nBoth teams made the extra pass to get an open look, knocked down open jumpers, played defense and looked like they cared for the entire 40 minutes.\nWait, an Indiana team making the extra pass, hitting the open look and playing like the care? I can’t believe I’m writing this.\nWhat really shocked me, though, was how incredible the fans were. The crowd was louder than any group of Pacer fans and didn’t even contain half the number of people. From tip-off to the last second, the fans never gave up hope and cheered on the players. It was a joy to see the Indiana fans have a reason to cheer for a basketball team. \nI keep wondering if the entire league displays the same type of play that I saw. I watched the top two teams face off. If all teams play this well, the stands should be filled every game.\nSo why does the WNBA struggle to sell tickets and gain a fan base? \nIt’s because ignorant Americans won’t give the league a chance, and I was a perfect example. \nBut I am now here to tell you to give the league that chance. \nBuy some tickets and take your kids, wife or just a non-believer to a game. Giving it a chance will be worth your time.\nAlthough I can’t guarantee that you will be floored by the play or even enjoy the game as much as I did, I can guarantee you one thing – these women will play their hearts out every minute they are on the floor.\nThey aren’t playing for the fame and fortune that has compromised the integrity of the NBA. They play for love of the game.