Angel Reese’s bold Caitlin Clark call vindicated as new figures come to light

After the Golden State Valkyries’ record-setting preseason opener against the Los Angeles Sparks, it was clear that Angel Reese’s claim about influence during the 2024 WNBA season was true

The turnout in the Golden State Valkyries’ preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks proved Angel Reese’s claim correct.

In the 2024 WNBA season, a bevy of conversations were had regarding who was the main driver of the WNBA’s increased popularity and viewership, especially regarding Caitlin Clark’s influence and Reese’s popularity. The conversations soon became hectic, with fans telling WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert that she is an issue, especially with how she approached the debate between Reese and Clark.

That said, Reese was quick to make sure that the league’s success was not just because of Clark. Speaking to reporters in June 2024, the Chicago Sky star made it clear she – and other stars – should also be credited with raising the WNBA’s popularity.

“People are talking about women’s basketball but you never would think that we talk about women’s basketball,” she said at the time. “People are pulling up to games, we got celebrities coming to games, sold-out arenas like just because of one single game and just looking at that like I’ll take that role.”

Along with claiming she would be willing to “take the bad guy” role, Reese added: “I know I’ll go down in history, I’ll look back in 20 years and be like yeah, the reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person, it’s because of me too and I want y’all to realize that.”

And though Reese does not play for the Valkyries, the impact of renewed interest in women’s basketball is clear. Although Golden State lost 83-82 to Los Angeles in its first-ever WNBA game, the fans remained engaged and locked in throughout, supporting the Valkyries in record numbers.

It was announced that 17,428 fans packed Chase Center on Tuesday night, even though the Warriors were playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Of note, Chase Center has a maximum capacity of just over 18,000, with Tuesday night’s total good for the third-highest preseason game in WNBA history.

The magnitude of the occasion was not lost on the Sparks. Speaking to reporters after the win, Los Angeles head coach Lynne Roberts said she was “really impressed” with the turnout.

“We knew that with all the things in the media, we knew that there was going to be a good crowd, but I was impressed with how loud they were and engaged they were,” Roberts said after the game. “And like KP [Kelsey Plum] said, it’s going to be even more, but that’s what you want. Like that’s, that’s why you want to play.