The excitement surrounding the upcoming WNBA season opener featuring Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has quickly turned into controversy, as fans are fuming over what they perceive as ridiculous ticket prices. These two basketball stars, who are among the most talked-about athletes in women’s sports, have drawn significant attention to the league—yet it’s not their talents on the court that are sparking conversation. Instead, it’s the exorbitant cost of attending the game that has fans shaking their heads.
With the hype around Caitlin Clark’s incredible shooting and Angel Reese’s dominating presence, expectations for this season opener were already high. However, when ticket prices were revealed, they sent shockwaves through the fanbase. For many, the prices are simply unaffordable. A basic seat for the event now costs hundreds of dollars, with some premium spots running into the thousands. This has prompted widespread outrage, as fans feel that the league is pricing them out of watching the game live.
While high ticket prices are nothing new in the world of professional sports, the WNBA’s rising costs are seen as particularly egregious considering the league’s history of financial struggles and limited fanbase compared to their male counterparts in the NBA. Many fans are questioning how the league can justify such prices, especially when a significant portion of its audience consists of loyal supporters who have been championing women’s basketball for years.
For some, this pricing move feels like a desperate attempt to cash in on the star power of Clark and Reese, but it risks alienating the very people who have helped grow the league. In a time when accessibility to live sports is becoming increasingly difficult for average fans, these prices seem to represent a step backward, rather than an advancement for the game.
As the season opener approaches, many are left wondering if the WNBA is truly focused on growing the sport and engaging with its core fans, or if it is simply prioritizing profit over accessibility. One thing is clear: the backlash against the high ticket prices is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
