For all the talks about the 2024 WNBA season scratching the surface, the persisting one is indeed showing out. We had Caitlin Clark’s homecoming record a viewership peaking at 1.6 million– 13% up from the past season’s regular-season average. The Golden State opener had over 17,000 in attendance, and for the first time, every preseason game is to be broadcast. But it stumbled where we’d least expect it, and it’s turning eyes towards Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith.

It all came up when the Chicago Sky faced the Minnesota Lynx in a 2025 WNBA preseason game on May 7th at the Target Center in Minneapolis. While the Sky secured a 74-69 victory, showcasing the potential of their revamped roster, it wasn’t enough—especially since only 4,688 people attended the game.

“I was actually quite surprised when I saw that the attendance for the Chicago Sky versus the Minnesota Lynx game was only 4,688 people in an arena that holds over 10,000 seats,” shared Rachael DeAmita in one of her recent episodes of her YouTube show.

Well, the Chicago Sky has been one of the top teams in terms of attendance and viewership throughout the last season. And needless to say, in large part due to the Chi-Town Barbie’s presence. Her first-ever preseason game last year? A fan had to stream it live on X because the league hadn’t made it available on League Pass. The real fact that spoke of the impact, however, was the 2 million views it went on to garner.

The team also averaged 500,000 viewers on Ion throughout the season and landed about 300,000 in the first preseason game. You can attribute it to the popularity Reese has built, indicated by her 4.9 million followers on Instagram — the highest for any WNBA player. And not just that, her TikTok following is approximately 5.5 million, showcasing her widespread appeal across platforms. It’s this substantial following that often translates into lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Reebok, Amazon, and McDonald’s.

Now there’s also Van Lith. The former TCU star has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, resulting in NIL partnerships with brands like Adidas, LaCroix, and Apple Cash. She also stunned the crowd with the SI Swimsuit just days before her name was called at The Shade. Moreover, Reese, HVL, and Kamilla Cardoso find themselves among the Top 10 in jersey sales this year. That’s even before the regular season has kicked started.

So when Rachel DeMita speaks of it, she can’t help but notice how the popularity hasn’t been able to translate into attendance.

“It’s just surprising to me how some teams and some players can have so much impact off the court, but it’s not translating to ticket sales. I don’t know what that is, and we’ll just have to see. Again, it’s a preseason game, but I was shocked by the attendance being that low,” added DeAmita.

Even Kamilla Cardoso, while not a major contributor, still has about 18,200 followers on Instagram with an endorsement resume of her own. That’s 6.2 million following right there. But the Sky has yet to see it reflect. And maybe they will because Angel Reese and the young core are coming in hot this year.

Angel Reese & Co. aren’t letting the past impact them

With the addition of a few new names and a new coach at the helm, Chicago Sky is far from where they finished last season. After an 89 – 62 win over Brazil, the team shut down last year’s championship contenders 74-69; and that’s a team returning with the last campaign’s starting lineup intact. They now join Fever and the Aces as the teams to have a W for all of their preseason games so far.

“We understand that nothing that’s happened in the past, good or bad, impacts what we’re doing moving forward — and that’s with any team,” the HC says. And it’s visible in the team’s final scores on the board, but also visible visible in Angel Reese’s individual growth.

The Chi-Town Barbie had directed her offseason focus to the weak points around shooting. With consistent practice and mentorship from Lisa Leslie, the results seem to be pouring in. After averaging 43.8% within five feet of the basket last year, she shot 57.1% from the field in the first game; also recorded a double-double in the process. In the next game, the percentage was still at 44.4, having made 4-of-9. And Tyler Marsh, who’s looking for multi-dimensional play this season, is understandlaby impressed.

“I thought Angel embraced our new philosophy and our new scheme, especially defensively,” he admitted during the training camp. The Sky are treading well, and it is only a matter of time fans show up.