TORRANCE — The Sparks are going big, and in doing so are setting up a matchup between the top two picks in last month’s WNBA draft on a significantly bigger stage.
With the sport’s booming popularity resulting in sold-out arenas and record-high TV ratings, the Sparks announced Tuesday that three of their home games – including their May 24 showdown against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever – would be moved from the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach to Crypto.com Arena.
Sparks center Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the draft, is already looking forward to her first WNBA game against Clark, the No. 1 pick after a superstar career at Iowa.
“I’m excited,” Brink said after Tuesday’s practice at the team’s training facility at El Camino College. “Caitlin is my girl. We are really good friends and I have so much respect and admiration for her, so I hope it’s a good game.”
“If Caitlin is there, I definitely think it’s going to be a sellout,” Brink continued. “I think it’s exciting. It’s good for the game and we’re just showing people why they should be fans, so I think it’s great for the game overall.”
In addition to the game against the Fever, the Sparks’ two ensuing home games – against the Dallas Wings on May 26 and the Minnesota Lynx on June 5 – will also be played at Crypto.com Arena.
“We appreciate the partnership that we have built with Long Beach State and are excited to open our 2024 season in front of the Long Beach community,” Sparks President Christine Monjer added. “Women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented viewership and attendance numbers so moving these games back to Crypto.com Arena provides us the ability to have more fans in the stands and have our players back to competing on their home floor.”
The Sparks’ first two home games – their season opener with the Atlanta Dream on May 15 and versus the Washington Mystics on May 21 – will still be played at the Walter Pyramid, which could seat as many as 5,000 people.
Single-game tickets go on sale to the general public at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Miller agreed with Brink that the Sparks’ game against the Fever and other popular teams could sell out Crypto.com Arena, which has a capacity of about 19,000.
“Women’s basketball right now is an exciting time,” Sparks coach Curt Miller said. “This draft class coming in has brought some energy from the collegiate game and all eyes were on the collegiate game, but our pro game is as it’s been and they join a bunch of solidified superstars of our game. And so to continue to have more and more eyes on the great players that have paved the way, this is what we dream about of, this is what we think our league can become where we have sellouts each and every night.”
In previewing the showdown against Indiana, Brink believes the Sparks must pay close attention to Clark as well as Aliyah Boston, the 2023 No. 1 pick, and other key Fever players.
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“I think it will be a good game,” Brink said. “I think we’re going to have to get out on Caitlin, she’s an amazing shooter. Aliyah Boston is an amazing post player and they have a lot of other pieces, so it will be great game.”
In addition to participating in her first WNBA training camp, Brink has made various celebrity appearances across Los Angeles recently, including on ESPN’s SportsCenter, the Dodgers Foundation’s Blue Diamond Gala and NHL and NBA games. However, the 6-foot-4 versatile forward out of Stanford said she’s centered her energy on becoming a better basketball player.
“Just keeping my love for the game, I think you just have to remember that we get to play basketball for a living, so it’s fun,” Brink said. “Leading with gratitude and leaning on my people.”