Women's basketball is rapidly emerging, and the Atlanta Dream is a team with a strong fan base.
ATLANTA โ There's never been a better time to be a women's basketball fan. Atlanta Dream fans know that all too well. The team, which just appeared in the WNBA Playoffs for the first time since 2018, sold out season tickets this year. They are only the second team in WNBA history to accomplish that feat.
“The energy is unparalleled. I'm really looking forward to this season. It's going to be really special,” said Atlanta Dream guard Jordyn Canada.
The Dream just made the playoffs in 2023, returning many of their star players from preseason and adding new players in hopes of taking the team to new heights this year.
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“These players that are with us got a taste of the postseason last year, and I think they've been with us for a while and have the seriousness, the competitive spirit, the hungry spirit. I think it's a combination of.'' With the addition of new members, we're going to be even more competitive this year,'' Dream general manager Dan Padover explained.
This team has chemistry and an obvious camaraderie that makes them fun. One of the rookies, Jordan Canada, was acquired from the Los Angeles Sparks in a trade in February. She is a two-time WNBA champion and was drafted in 2018, which has seen major changes in the league from then to now.
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“I think a lot of people are starting to invest in women's sports and realize the talent that we have, not only as professionals but also as amateurs and college athletes. We get a lot of viewership and โ Canada said.
The Women's College Basketball Championship was another example of the increase, with viewership reaching a peak of 24.1 million viewers. It was the most-watched basketball game of any level since 2019.
“I've seen history being made every day from the start of the women's college basketball season to now, and I've seen how much attention it gets. Then it's passed on to the league. Itโs only going to go up from here,โ Atlanta Dream forward Cheyenne Parker Theis said.
There are plenty of opportunities to watch the Atlanta Dream play this season. They begin with two preseason games, hosting the Washington Mystics on May 4th, before traveling to Indianapolis on May 10th to take on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.