Five years ago, the New York Liberty were used to playing games in a deserted, 2,100-capacity arena out in the suburbs, a world away from the bright lights of the Big Apple.
But when the star-studded Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team step out at a packed Barclays Centre in Brooklyn on Sept 24 (Sept 25 morning, Singapore time), they will do so as one of the hottest tickets in town, as surging interest in women's basketball this season ushers in a new era for the sport.
"I go to a lot of sporting events, and nothing beats the energy here," said long-time Liberty season-ticket holder Lolita Beckwith, a professional photographer who has been following the team since the WNBA was launched in 1997.
Her 27-year allegiance to the Liberty has encompassed the team's early days, when they played games at the legendary Madison Square Garden, to the bleak era when the team were exiled to the suburban city of White Plains, closer to Connecticut than Brooklyn.
"It's just great because for 27 years, it was looked down upon," Beckwith added.
"No one watched, there weren't many fans. It was mostly women and kids. So to see it become what it is now is just absolutely amazing. I wish I had a daughter so I could bring her to the games."
Denne historien er fra September 25, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 25, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Howe focuses on positives after rare clean sheet in draw at Everton
LONDON Eddie Howe praised Newcastle United's defensive display and rare away clean sheet after the 0-0 English Premier League draw at Everton on Oct 5, as a missed Anthony Gordon penalty denied the visitors all three points.
Chelsea frustrated by 10-man Forest but remain fourth
Noni Madueke's equaliser rescued Chelsea in a 1-1 English Premier League draw against 10man Nottingham Forest that ended the Blues' five-match winning run on Oct 6.
Calm Verdy fight back to lift Lion City Cup
Showing their class for a second consecutive match, Japanese side Tokyo Verdy came from behind to defeat holders BG Pathum United 4-1 to clinch the Lion City Cup on Oct 6.
TEN HAG HAILS BATTLING DRAW
United manager says his 'determined' side defended well, showed character at Villa
Sidelined Carvajal to return like an 'animal'
MADRID - Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal confirmed that he will undergo surgery after suffering a serious knee injury in the 2-0 Spanish La Liga win over Villarreal on Oct 5.
Arteta hails Saka's ability to change games
LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could almost forgive his side for going a goal down to struggling Southampton as it brought out the best in winger Bukayo Saka, who scored one goal and made two more in their 3-1 English Premier League home win on Oct 5.
KEY KOVACIC UNLOCKS FULHAM
Midfielder fills in for Rodri and bags brace in win to get City's title bid back on track
Rugby player on rape charge booed on return
PARIS - France lock Hugo Auradou was described as being \"serene\" by Pau head coach Sebastien Piqueronies on Oct 5, despite being whistled off the pitch in his first match since being accused of rape in Argentina.
TEARS OF JOY FOR GAUFF IN CHINA
American clinches second title of 2024; Sinner needs day off after comeback win
Victorious Pereira not switching divisions
Brazil's Alex Pereira roared back from a poor start to knock out Khalil Rountree Jr and retain his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 at the Delta Centre on Oct 5, while in the co-main event Julianna Pena beat Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women's bantamweight crown.
