Players Praise Record Crowd at Philadelphia Tournament Stop
In a historic achievement, the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league recorded an unparalleled attendance at its inaugural tour stop in Philadelphia, drawing 21,490 fans to the Xfinity Mobile Arena. This figure marks a significant milestone as it stands as the highest attendance ever for a regular-season women’s professional basketball game and for any event in the venue’s history.
Record Attendance and Memorable Moments
The record was announced during the opening of a doubleheader on Friday. Napheesa Collier, co-founder of Unrivaled, expressed her excitement, stating, “It was unbelievable. You could feel the love tonight.” The joyful atmosphere underscored the league’s vision for women’s basketball.
Philadelphia’s Long-Awaited Return to Women’s Basketball
This landmark event is particularly significant for Philadelphia, which has not hosted a professional women’s basketball game since 1998. During the weekend, the festivities kicked off with a community event and clinic on Thursday, followed by two competitive games on Friday. In these matches, the Phantom triumphed over the Breeze 71-68, while the Lunar Owls defeated the Rose 85-75. Rose coach Nola Henry praised the record turnout, saying, “It was just what women’s basketball deserves.”
Celebrity Presence and City Support
Fans began gathering around the arena hours before tip-off, proudly wearing gear from Unrivaled and the WNBA. Several prominent figures attended, including women’s basketball icon Dawn Staley and former NFL star Jason Kelce, among others.
Future of Unrivaled
Collier revealed plans for multiple tour stops in the following season, with details on cities and stops yet to be disclosed. Players like Marina Mabrey, who achieved a record of 47 points and 10 three-pointers during the games, expressed optimism about the future. “I think going to other cities would be great,” she noted.
Looking Ahead
The Unrivaled league’s season will resume in Miami, continuing through February, with playoff games scheduled for March 2 and March 4. This weekend’s history-making event epitomizes the growing support and excitement surrounding women’s basketball.
