NHL free agency reveals that teams in states without income tax gain an edge
Caitlin Clark is not just a basketball star; she's become a major draw for the WNBA, and the Las Vegas Aces are reaping the benefits too.
When the Aces faced off against Clark's Indiana Fever at T-Mobile Arena, it wasn't just a game – it was history. A whopping 20,366 fans packed the sold-out NHL venue, marking the highest regular-season attendance in WNBA history since 1999. This extraordinary turnout prompted the Aces to relocate from their usual Michelob ULTRA Arena to the larger T-Mobile Arena, normally home to the Vegas Golden Knights, due to overwhelming demand driven by Clark's immense popularity.
Of course, Clark's allure isn't the only reason for the Aces' record-breaking attendance. Their local fan base is fervent, making them the first WNBA team ever to sell out every regular-season home game. The Aces even outshined the previous attendance records set by the Washington Mystics at what's now known as Capital One Arena back in 1998 and 1999.
The highest WNBA playoff game attendance, at 22,076 fans, still belongs to the 2003 WNBA Finals clash between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks. Callie Lawson-Freeman of the Las Vegas Review-Journal highlighted that the Aces' crowd turnout also marks the largest for any professional sports event at T-Mobile Arena, surpassing even Stanley Cup Final games and other major sporting events.
On the court, the Aces dominated the Fever with an 88-69 victory, securing their fifth consecutive win. Kelsey Plum led the scoring charge with an impressive 34 points, along with six rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Clark managed 13 points on a 4-of-12 shooting night, dishing out 11 assists but also committing six turnovers.
This event not only underscores the Aces' popularity in Las Vegas but also reflects the WNBA's growing appeal and ability to draw large crowds with exciting matchups and star players like Caitlin Clark.
