Las Vegas Aces stars Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson are calling on the WNBA to make games more accessible for fans.
Speaking with reporters during WNBA All-Star weekend, Plum and Wilson said the lack of information and exposure to the league make it difficult to draw in more fans.
“I would like to see the league make it easier and more accessible for fans,” said Plum. “We understand that the product is great, and when we get people to watch the game, they love it, but the hardest part is getting people there.”
Twenty-five league games will be nationally broadcast across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 this season, while 40 matchups will be carried across CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network.
NBA TV will air a total of 46 contests, Prime Watch will stream 17 games and Facebook Watch will carry 20 events.
“You tell me I got to go through three apps, I am not watching that,” Wilson said. “Let’s be honest here.”
EXACTLY THIS! What @_ajawilson22 and @Kelseyplum10 !!! #WNBATwitter #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/HIDL6Opv72
— Shuri's Lab Partner (@Dimitri246) July 9, 2022
Plum and Wilson’s remarks come during a weekend where the WNBA has drawn criticism for its perceived alienation of fans.
Reporters and league supporters took to social media Saturday to begrudge the WNBA’s decision to hold the WNBA All-Star skills contest at McCormick Place without any fans. The convention center, while the largest in North America, is a far cry from the Chicago Sky’s home of Wintrust Arena, which can host 10,387 fans.
Skills competition and 3-point competition for @WNBA ASG are fun … would be more fun in front of the fans at Wintrust Arena, where game is tomorrow.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) July 9, 2022
The WNBA All-Star Game will be played in front of fans at Wintrust Arena on Sunday, with the event airing on ABC at 1 p.m. ET