Carleton, Lynx debut WNBA in Canada; sell out Raptors home arena

[peatyscotch]

Bridget Carleton went home to Canada with the Lynx for an exhibition game against the Chicago Sky. The NBA Raptors home arena, Scotiabank Arena, was sold out for the game. 20,000 tickets were sold almost as soon as they became available. Toronto is being considered for WNBA expansion, but has a few significant speed bumps to overcome.

Toronto is less than 3 hours from Bridget's home town of Chatham. For trivia buffs, Carleton became the first Canadian to play in a WNBA game in Canada, albeit an exhibition game.

Nice to see this happen for Bridget; she's been with the Lynx now since 2019. Her interview shown in the attachment below is classic Bridget; you've all seen that smile many times before.

Sky beat Lynx as WNBA's Canadian debut earns rave reviews

Kahleah Copper scored 18 points as the Chicago Sky beat the Minnesota Lynx 82-74 on Saturday in WNBA pre-season action before a sellout crowd at Scotiabank Arena.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[StClone]

Bridget Carleton went home to Canada with the Lynx for an exhibition game against the Chicago Sky. The NBA Raptors home arena, Scotiabank Arena, was sold out for the game. 20,000 tickets were sold almost as soon as they became available. Toronto is being considered for WNBA expansion, but has a few significant speed bumps to overcome.

Toronto is less than 3 hours from Bridget's home town of Chatham. For trivia buffs, Carleton became the first Canadian to play in a WNBA game in Canada, albeit an exhibition game.

Nice to see this happen for Bridget; she's been with the Lynx now since 2019. Her interview shown in the attachment below is classic Bridget; you've all seen that smile many times before.

Sky beat Lynx as WNBA's Canadian debut earns rave reviews

Kahleah Copper scored 18 points as the Chicago Sky beat the Minnesota Lynx 82-74 on Saturday in WNBA pre-season action before a sellout crowd at Scotiabank Arena.

www.sportsnet.ca

Jeez, feel good moment to watch that, except Bridget's stats were unmentioned.

 

[kcdc4isu]

Jeez, feel good moment to watch that, except Bridget's stats were unmentioned.

Watched the game and the problem I have with our girl is she defers to many times to other players so her stats are not like what she had as a Cyclone. She is a true TEAM player not like some players in the league. Hoping for a better year for the Lynx this season.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Watched the game and the problem I have with our girl is she defers to many times to other players so her stats are not like what she had as a Cyclone. She is a true TEAM player not like some players in the league. Hoping for a better year for the Lynx this season.

It's how she stays in the league. And it's how Joens will need to be to catch on. Not paying much attention to Jones "stats". She'll need to be able to defend to make her roster. They know she's capable of hitting a three or two off the bench.

 

[Sigmapolis]

I'm surprised Toronto doesn't already have a WNBA team.

Seems exactly the sort of city -- Canadian or not -- that fits their product.

 

[ISU3PtLand]

I'm surprised Toronto doesn't already have a WNBA team.

Seems exactly the sort of city -- Canadian or not -- that fits their product.

My guess is the league will begin the expansion process this year. At one point the league had 16 teams, but lost some due to poor attendance and financial issues. The league has been very hesitant to expand because they wanted to make sure the existing franchises are on solid footing.

I would expect Toronto and the Bay Area seem locks for expansion. Other cities that have been mentioned are Denver, Austin, Charlotte, Portland and Nashville. Charlotte and Portland have had teams previously, but with the growth of women's college basketball at South Carolina, Oregon and Oregon State, those cities may get a second chance.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kansas City or St. Louis try for a franchise as well.

 

[Cycsk]

How about an all Iowa State, Iowa, UNI, Drake team in Des Moines? They would get good attendance!

 

[mred]

M.A. Voepel wrote a good article about WNBA expansion just a few days ago.

WNBA expansion is coming, but when and where?

The WNBA once consisted of 16 teams but has had 12 since 2010. The next expansion seems likely to be two teams, and Toronto and the Bay Area are among the potential sites.

www.espn.com