By Cassandra Cousineau of LVSportsBiz.com
At T-Mobile Arena where the Vegas Golden Knights play, about 18,000 fans are packing the arena for Stanley Cup playoff games. In Summerlin at the Las Vegas Aviators’ baseball park, there are sellouts of 9,000 baseball fans. But at the Las Vegas Aces’ Michelob Ultra Arena, which used to be called the Mandalay Bay Events Center, there were about 2,000 people allowed to watch one of the WNBA’s best teams Tuesday evening.
What gives?
True, there is a COVID-19 coronavirus still out there (just ask Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns). Sadly, the virus has killed 600,000 Americans. But more and more people are getting vaccinated and even California has opened up. Witness more than 50,000 fans at Dodger Stadium in LA Tuesday.
While many sports are operating at 100 percent attendance capacity, the WNBA is still operating under restrictive COVID-19 protocols limiting the number of fans allowed in its teams’ arenas. Only season ticket holders are currently allowed to attend Aces home games. If you’re an Aces fan, but not a season ticket holder, you can’t buy a ticket to a game.
For example Tuesday, about 2,000 fans were around to watch the Aces rout the New York Liberty, 100-78, after the Aces trailed by 11 points in the second period. Aces guard, Kelsey Plum, fresh off international 3 on 3 competition, scored a career high 32 points to lead Las Vegas. “I just wanted to put on a performance. My job is to bring energy and toughness. I’m here to win,” Plum said after the game. Officially speaking, the Aces announced attendance at 2,115.
More fans might be attending WNBA games down the road. The 12-team women’s basketball league is expected to re-evaluate its stand during the Olympic break in August.
More fans would be welcomed at WNBA games because the news this week was that the 2021 WNBA All Star Game will be held on the Aces home court in Las Vegas July 14, less than a month away.
Voting began Tuesday. All Stars will be determined from a pool chosen by fans, players and media members. Players can also vote for themselves. Coaches will then choose the 12-player WNBA team from the top 36 vote-getters who aren’t on the U.S. Olympic team. However, the rules state coaches are prevented from voting for their own players.
Sponsored by AT&T, the game is another way for the WNBA to celebrate its 25th season. It’s also the first time that the league has held an All-Star Game in an Olympic year since 2000. The WNBA played an exhibition in New York in 2004 at Radio City Music Hall, but it wasn’t considered an All-Star Game.
The 12-member U.S. Olympic team roster hasn’t been announced yet, but is expected to be released later this month. They will hold a training camp in Las Vegas prior to departing for Tokyo.
As far as fans at Aces games, the Las Vegas franchise –now owned by Raiders owner Mark Davis — is complying with WNBA restrictions and allowing just under 2,000 season ticket holders to attend games
According to the Aces, those fans will be refunded their money beginning June 22. An email was also sent announcing season ticket holders will be moving back to their original seats after a bit of musical chairs to start the season.
Aces’ statement: “We are excited to announce that all members are moving into their original season ticket location beginning with our Thursday, June 17 game against New York. Your updated tickets will be delivered through the AXS mobile app prior to Thursday’s game. Due to updated WNBA policies, CLEAR HealthPass is no longer required for entry into Las Vegas Aces games. Additionally, fans who are fully vaccinated will not be required to wear masks.”
Against the Liberty, the Aves actually trailed by 11, 39-28, midway through the second quarter. But the team shook off the sluggish start to close the first half on a 22-8 run and led 48-45 after two quarters.
Then the Aces took over the game in the second half. The Liberty did not have their top two scorers, rookie Sebrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud.
In the second half with the game in control, Aces coach Bill Laimbeer gave court time to every player available on the roster.
Aces center Liz Cambage had 14 points and 11 rebounds. She noted the team was only tapping into about 40 percent of what they’re capable of. “I think a lot of people know that. And a lot of people are scared of that,” she said.
Plum was red hot at The House, hitting 11 of 16 from the field, including 3 of 6 from behind the arc, to top her previous best of 23 points against Seattle in 2017. Laimbeer praised the team’s 2017 No. 1 pick. “She [Plum] creates shots for herself and others when she does so,” Laimbeer said.
PSA