KC's WNBA Debut: Electric Crowd, Ready for More

0:00It's April 28th. This is Kansas News today, AI-powered stories from your city. Kansas City just got a taste of WNBA action after nearly 21 years without it. The Minnesota Lynx took on Nigeria's Women's National Team in a preseason game at Team Mobile Center on Monday. Lynx pulled out an 88-79 win and the crowd was electric showing what a pro team here could look like. The city missed out on an NBA comeback in the 2026 to 2028 WNBA expansion plans. But with the KC current already packing CPKC Stadium, the only one built just for women's pro soccer, folks are hungry for more. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve called KC a special spot, praising the fan energy right away. Fans showed up big time, many seeing live WNBA hoops for the first time. April Peters from Lawrence rocked a Courtney Williams jersey. Williams dropped 17 points in 12 minutes and said the current success proves. KC supports women sports like it does the chiefs and royals. Representation matters, especially for women and the LGBTQ community.

1:07Players felt the love too. Lynx point guard Olivia Miles, fresh off the big 12 tournament here last month, said the turnout beat even college crowds. She shouted out traveling fans as the ultimate boost to push through tough moments on the court. Youth squad skipped practice for the surprise trip, like Thai Hawkins and his Missouri phenom AAU girls. He sees KC as prime for a WNBA franchise with pack houses waiting weekly. The buzz from Monday makes it clear this city is ready to ball out for women's hoops.