WNBA Game in Vancouver – Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream
Vancouver hosted the first regular season WNBA season game held outside the U.S. tonight at Rogers Arena as the Atlanta Dream took on the Seattle Storm.
WNBA Game in Vancouver
A crowd of over 15,000 cheered on the two teams with much enthusiasm, proving that there is definitely a fan base for basketball – and women’s sports – in Vancouver. One the biggest cheers of the night even went to a fan wearing a Vancouver Grizzlies jersey.
This was the third WNBA Canada Game and the fifth WNBA game outside the U.S., with games previously in Toronto, Edmonton, and internationally in England and Mexico.
There was support on the court from the Canucks mascot Fin, the Seattle Storm’s mascot Doppler, and members of the BC Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps were court-side to show their support. WNBA royalty Swin Cash (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee) and Tammy Sutton-Brown (the first Canadian WNBA player to be voted as an all-star) were in attendance.
Atlanta was coming in hot, winners of eight of their last ten and riding a six-game streak. Seattle was on a six game skid but they were able to pull it out with a near buzzer-beater by Ezi Magbegor, breaking the Dream’s streak in a 80-78 defeat.
Light ‘Em Up Vancouver
Swin Cash and Vancouver Park Board Chair Laura Christensen were joined by basketball players from the Girls Who LEAP organization at Ceperley Park Playground this week to officially reveal the first of five local courts painted with the WNBA 3-point line in the WNBA’s iconic Fire Orange.
Vancouver is the first Canadian city to host “Line ‘Em Up”, following U.S. locations in New York and Indianapolis.
“More than a line, it’s a symbol for visibility and inclusivity,” said Phil Cook, WNBA CMO. “The City of Vancouver has embraced women’s sports, and through the WNBA Canada Game and this legacy initiative, we can’t wait to bring the WNBA closer to its Canadian fans.”
The WNBA 3-point line has been painted at the following five Vancouver outdoor courts:
- Stanley Park – Ceperley Court
- Hastings Community Park
- Gaston Park
- Kingcrest Park
- Queen Elizabeth Park
A dedicated Line ‘Em Up website allows fans, parkgoers, and community leaders to learn more about the program and locate painted courts in their own neighbourhoods.
Toronto Tempo to Play in Vancouver
Tonight, Toronto Tempo Team president Teresa Resch and GM Monica Wright Rogers announced that the Tempo will play two games in Vancouver during their first season in the WNBA. The Tempo are one of two new teams entering the WNBA next season, coming in alongside the Portland Fire
Stay on top of the league updates and events by following WNBA and WNBA Canada.
It’s an exciting time for women’s sports in Vancouver! Canada’s first women’s professional soccer league, the Northern Super League, launched in April (including our very own Vancouver Rise) and this fall will see the Professional Women’s Hockey League expand to eight teams with new franchises in Vancouver and Seattle.
