In Super Squads, The Athletic follows the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces in their quests to win a WNBA championship. Our reporters will tell the stories of the players on two of the most star-studded teams in league history and examine how their paths shape the future of the WNBA.
NEW YORK — It didn’t take long for Breanna Stewart to endear herself to New York Liberty fans. Back in May, Stewart, playing in just her second game with the franchise, scored a team-record (and career-high) 45 points in a win over the Indiana Fever. For 40 minutes, she enchanted the home crowd at Barclays Center. Then, she took center stage to address them. “Appreciate you guys really showing love,” she said, “and I hope you’re here all season.”
Stewart has voiced a similar refrain in on-court interviews throughout the year. She recognizes that for many attending Liberty competitions, it might be their first time at a WNBA game. Her post-game comments are deliberate. “Let’s see if they can come multiple times. Let’s see if we can turn some Nets season-ticket holders into Liberty season-ticket holders,” she says. “Word of mouth is probably one of the biggest ways that the WNBA spreads, in attendance and viewership.”
News of the Liberty’s success has spread. New York,…
