Video of a 12-year old WNBA fan reacting to getting tickets for her birthday is capturing the hearts of fans and players.
Do you remember your first professional sports game in person? It’s a magical experience, crossing a boundary into a world that doesn’t seem real into you see it, watching incredible athletes who have previously only existed as moving images on a screen.
It’s the kind of thing that can change a kid’s life, bonding them with their favorite team forever or inspiring them to put in the work to get themselves onto that field or court someday. That’s one of the reasons this video took off a yesterday — a 12-year old WNBA fan in Maine reacting to a birthday gift from her parents, tickets to her first game ever.
Hey @WNBA-you have a huge fan in Maine. Check out our daughter’s reaction to WNBA tix for her 12th birthday. 7/20 game @ConnecticutSun vs @seattlestorm. Her first WNBA game. pic.twitter.com/WjgWEdhZm5
— Maribeth Whitmore Hartley (@mbhart2) July 9, 2018
The reaction is so strong and so genuine, it’s hard not have those emotions wash over you as your watching. This girl, presumably a Connecticut Sun fan because of New England proximity, is completely overcome. The positive reactions that rolled in all day on Twitter just added to the fun, with some of the best coming from basketball teams offering to treat this young fan to other games:
What a great gift! If she’s ever in Philadelphia we would love to have her out to a game!! https://t.co/AdKxckyxPm
— Villanova WBB (@novawbb) July 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury/status/1017453911685226501
And WNBA players offering their help to make this first experience an absolutely incredible one:
Such a great present... would love to meet her after the game!!! https://t.co/7ozLm0uD9T
— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) July 11, 2018
Can’t wait to see you there!! You need some @seattlestorm gear?! https://t.co/C8VsvUU02V
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) July 13, 2018
The first tweet is from Chiney Ogwumike who leads the Sun in scoring this year, while simultaneously working as an analyst for ESPN. Stewart, the third-year phenom, leads the Storm in scoring, rebounding and steals this year. Two stars offering to visit with an individual fan after a game is an incredible gesture.
Next: The WNBA’s top 20 players, ranked
The WNBA is always working to increase its fanbase but conversations about the league being under-covered shouldn’t distract from the fact that the league already has an large and passionate following.
Check out our Fandom 250 rankings to find out where fans of WNBA players and teams ranked last year, and where they’ll fall in our 2018 rankings.