PHILADELPHIA – The Unrivaled league made history at its inaugural tour stop, attracting a record-breaking crowd of 21,490 fans at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. This attendance not only set a new mark for regular-season women’s professional basketball games but also for any event held at the venue. The record was announced during the double-header on February 2, 2024.
League co-founder Napheesa Collier expressed her excitement, saying, “It was unbelievable. You could feel the love tonight. I just can’t explain it more than I was just so filled up with joy.” Coach Nola Henry of the Rose emphasized the significance of the event: “It was just what women’s basketball deserves.”
This match marked the second-year league’s first game outside of its home base in Miami, where the season runs from early January to early March. Notably, it was Philadelphia’s first professional women’s basketball game since 1998, when the Philadelphia Rage competed in the American Basketball League (ABL). Philadelphia is set to welcome a WNBA expansion team in 2030, which will increase the league’s roster to 18 teams.
Community Engagement and Celebrity Appearances
The Unrivaled festivities extended over two days, beginning with a community event and clinic on Thursday. Fans gathered hours before the games, donning jerseys to support their teams, and remained engaged throughout the three-hour event.
Several celebrities attended, including women’s basketball icon Dawn Staley, former NFL player Jason Kelce, comedians Wanda Sykes and Leslie Jones, and television anchor Robin Roberts. Their presence added to the vibrant atmosphere, showcasing the growing interest in women’s sports.
Collier noted the significance of the turnout, stating, “It’s just a testament to what we’re building here, how much people believe in it. So to have the city show out like this, to break a record in all of women’s professional basketball here tonight, I think it’s just amazing. The future’s Unrivaled.”
Future Plans and Highlights
Following the historic event, the Unrivaled league plans to expand its tour next season, with details on additional cities and stops to be announced. Players expressed their enthusiasm for continuing the tour model.
Marina Mabrey, who set a league record with 47 points and ten three-pointers in the evening’s games, remarked, “I think it was awesome to see [the fans] come out and support us like that. I didn’t realize there was going to be so much hype around it and so much support.” She also indicated that expanding to other cities would be beneficial as long as it remains feasible for everyone involved.
The Unrivaled season will resume on February 3 in Miami, with the regular season continuing until early March, followed by playoffs on March 2 and March 4. As the league gains momentum, the Philadelphia event serves as a powerful reminder of the growing support for women’s basketball.
