The first game I watched of WNBA (women's basketball) was around 2012 (12 years ago). It was crappy play....both teams had one decent player each....the camera guys were careful not to show the stands. I would imagine at best....maybe 5,000 folks in the arena.
Over the past year, I've watched probably six games of the Iowa women's team. They were sharp....prepared, and the games were thrilling to view.
Based on perception....I think at least four of the national teams are more than capable of playing WNBA teams and most nights....beating them by ten points minimum.
The problem with the WNBA? They just have never improved. Each team markets themselves with one pure star and the rest are just average players.
Attendance average? 5,000 to 8,000 per night. You figure $30 per ticket (for the lesser seats)....so with 7,000 folks....you might have $210,000 made off tickets, and another $250,000 off drinks, food, and parking. So a half-million per night.
You go and pay the arena for heat, security.....then you pay for coaches, travel, hotels, and ref's...there's no doubt on my view.....the NBA has to be funneling a quarter-million each month for each team....to keep them surviving.
