Minnesota Lynx Fan Base Is Still Growing
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Lynx have a 1-0 series lead in best-of-three WNBA Western Conference Finals conference against the Phoenix Mercury.
The Lynx beat the Mercury Thursday night 95-67 at the Target Center. If they win Sunday in Phoenix, they'll advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Attendance at games has sharply increased.
"Our crowd from last year and even the start of this season is a whole new base of fans," said Chief Operating Officer Conrad Smith.
Smith said those attending are dads and daughters, families, couples and other Twin Cities sports teams.
The lower bowl of the Target Center arena was practically packed on Thursday night. Smith said more and more people are using the tickets they're holding.
"We have a much higher percentage of people using the tickets," said Smith.
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He said fans are not only coming to support the local WNBA team but they're coming to watch good basketball.
"In the past it's been let's support women's basketball and the Lynx," said Smith. "But now we have such a great brand of basketball. We're up tempo, fast breaking and fun to watch."
At 10 a.m. Friday Elaine Anderson, 72, was the only one waiting in line for a tickets to Tuesday's possible game. She's a new fan but loves what she sees.
"I probably went to one game last year," said Anderson. "Then I got started this year and I really liked it."
She said she's surprised more people weren't in line Friday morning.
"I suppose they figure they have plenty of time to buy a ticket," said Anderson. "They're the only team that's winning, and I love basketball."
Smith hopes the teams wins Sunday but said if they lose, then Tuesday's game in Minneapolis will be huge and tickets sales will pick up even more.
"They realize they have something special," said Smith.
