CHICAGO — Tyler Marsh has fond memories of the All-Star games he’s experienced in Chicago, dating back to his time as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors at the 2020 NBA All-Star game. Fast forward to 2022, and Marsh found himself at a WNBA All-Star game at Wintrust Arena, which served as his introduction to the WNBA’s premier showcase event.
“There have been some cool moments,” Marsh reflected.
Saturday night marked another significant occasion, albeit a challenging one, as Chicago Sky faced a tough 79-52 loss to the Indiana Fever. Significantly, it was the first WNBA game played at the United Center, a historic venue known for hosting the Chicago Bulls and the Blackhawks.
“It’s an incredible moment for this league,” Marsh expressed, now in his debut season coaching the Sky. “It’s an incredible moment for our team, our staff, and our city. We have this unique opportunity to represent Chicago in this iconic building on a night that will be remembered. The importance and significance are not lost on me—it is an honor to represent the WNBA and the Sky in this way,” he added.
Originally scheduled for the smaller Wintrust Arena, the match was expected to showcase rising stars like Angel Reese from the Sky and Caitlin Clark from the Fever. However, circumstances took a different turn, with the Fever dominating and Clark sidelined due to a quad issue. This was her fourth consecutive game missed due to the injury. Fans, eagerly anticipating Clark’s performance, were left despondent as she watched from the sideline.
The game drew a crowd of 19,496 attendees, surpassing the previous Chicago attendance record of 16,444 set in 2016. Though tickets at StubHub were available for as low as $9 just hours before the tipoff, the enthusiasm among fans was undeniable. Comparatively, when Reese and Clark first competed in Chicago last season, ticket prices skyrocketed, with courtside seats at Wintrust Arena reaching $5,000 on Ticketmaster right before the game.
This game was a marquee event, complete with celebrity attendees during the earlier matchup, featuring personalities like Chance The Rapper, Jason Sudeikis, and Jalen Brunson, along with Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Cheryl Swoopes. Even without the celebrity draw this time, the night held immense significance for women’s sports, showcasing the growing popularity and success of women’s basketball. The Sky and Fever are set for another showdown at the United Center on July 27.
“We keep achieving milestones for women,” Reese noted. “Women belong here, and I believe this is the beginning of many similar events. There are two games here this year, and hopefully, we’ll see more WNBA games in NBA arenas.”
Reese and Clark have significantly contributed to boosting interest in the league, with their professional and on-court rivalry transitioning seamlessly from college to the pros, captivating audiences and debating societal themes.
Sky center Kamilla Cardoso reflected on these developments, “It just shows how much women’s basketball is growing, and it’s amazing to see it,” she said.
For Fever assistant Austin Kelly, who covered in place of coach Stephanie White, memories of watching the electrifying Bulls during the era of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen came flooding back. “I was born in ’89,” Kelly shared. “Watching the Bulls during those June games, packed into hotels with AAU basketball teammates, brings back so many memories. Jordan’s Bulls were everybody’s team back in the ’90s.”
Player development coach Aaron Johnson, a Chicago native, had eagerly anticipated this game since its announcement. “Since it was announced we would be playing here, it was emotional for him,” Marsh acknowledged. “This is a venue he grew up admiring, initially from the nosebleeds, and now getting to step onto its floor. These moments are priceless and especially rewarding for our players to experience.”