The rivalry between New York and Philadelphia in the women's basketball arena is intense. When Philadelphia hosted Unrivaled's women's basketball league, it brought in $2 million in revenue, a testament to the city's passion for the sport. This success sparked New York's interest, leading to a quick deal to bring the playoff semifinals to Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The arena's reputation for drawing large and enthusiastic crowds to New York Liberty games made it a natural fit. Paige Bueckers of Breeze BC and the Dallas Wings praised the electric atmosphere, comparing it to Philadelphia's impressive turnout. Natasha Cloud, a Liberty fan favorite and Broomall native, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the demand for women's basketball and the need to stand on its worth. New York's fans are known to pay for a big show, and the Barclays Center recently added luxury seating. Unrivaled CEO Alex Bazzell confirmed the profitability of the trip, with over $1 million in ticket revenue alone. Philadelphia's success in hosting the event, from landing the building to selling it out in three weeks, was a result of strategic planning and a great partnership with Xfinity. The executives trusted their gut, and the results spoke for themselves. Brooklyn's Barclays Center, while smaller, still attracted a full house of 18,261 fans, a significant achievement. Philadelphia's record-breaking crowd of 21,490 at Xfinity Mobile Arena was a testament to the city's passion for women's basketball. Breanna Stewart, one of Unrivaled's co-founders, expressed her appreciation for the turnout, noting the love and need for the sport. Kelsey Plum, a star player, praised the cities' love for the game and the shows put on by the players. New York looks forward to returning to Philadelphia, with Bazzell confirming plans to keep touring next season and a lot of 'inbound interest' from potential hosts.
