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According to Savannah Sicurella of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, women’s sports are “gaining a lot of national attention,” and the WNBA Atlanta Dream are “benefiting from that.” The WNBA franchise spent the first half of the year “breaking franchise records.” In April, the team “sold out” its season ticket allotment. Last month, a home game against the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever “attracted enough ticket demand” that the Dream moved the game to State Farm Arena. Sicurella noted that it’s “a 180-degree change for a team that hadn’t sold out a single game until 2021.” The increased ticket sales have the Dream “considering expansion” at the Gateway Center and “considering whether they should move at least a portion of their home schedule to a larger venue.” The Dream’s recent success “reflects the efforts the ownership group has put into rebuilding the franchise.” But it’s also “in line with a larger growth trend: viewership and attendance for elite women’s sports are soaring as brands, advertisers and broadcasters invest more in an industry that’s still developing.” Consulting firm Deloitte estimates that global revenues in women’s elite sports are “expected to surpass $1 billion” for the first time this year. The franchise is “exploring additional seating at the Gateway Center” and is also “determining a long-term home site.” Dream president and COO Morgan Shaw Parker said it would “likely be some combination of the Gateway Center and another arena.” She added that while it’s only midway through the season, the team’s ticket and merchandise revenue trajectory is “already doubled from last year” and sponsorships have “nearly tripled.”Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 6/11).
