The battle between the Liberty and Aces for WNBA supremacy has been big box office from the start.
So it figures the Aces were the opponent when the Liberty hosted the largest crowd in WNBA history — clocking in at 17,143 — at Barclays Center on Sunday for Game 3 of the Finals.
“We saw huge spikes when we played the Las Vegas Aces at home. We saw huge spikes versus other opponents as well, but this one in particular was basketball that we knew people wanted to see,” Liberty CEO Keia Clarke told The Post. “And then all of a sudden we’re in this situation where the Liberty, an original [WNBA] team, is playing its first Finals in 21 years.
“So, it was really natural. It was an organic thirst for people to really want to be in the building and to experience it live.”
The record-breaking number included capacity in the upper decks of the arena in Brooklyn, which Clarke said the Liberty opened “several times” throughout the regular season.
“We knew the fans were going to come out and support us like no other, and that’s momentum for us,” Liberty star Breanna Stewart said after the 87-73 Game 3 victory.
“The crowd was amazing. The fans were amazing,” Jonquel Jones added.
The demand for tickets has grown since the Liberty moved from White Plains to Brooklyn in 2020 after Joseph Tsai became the owner of the franchise, and it continues to move “in the right direction,” according to Clarke.
Clarke, in her 13th season with the organization, has been the Liberty’s CEO since 2020.
She said she expects the environment for Wednesday night’s must-win Game 4 to be similar to Sunday’s.
“Sales are comparable and Game 4 with the opportunity to even the series creates even more drama,” Clarke said. “It’s why people love sports. It’s why fans are fans.
“And I’m confident that New Yorkers in particular, who haven’t been in a situation specific to professional basketball in a really long time in a final series, and with the opportunity to get a W and advance to a final game, would be just a remarkable storyline for this New York Liberty team.”
The Liberty players welcome the crowd, especially because it means more eyes on women’s sports.
“We’ve been telling them this whole time that they should get behind us, and now to see that people are continuing to show up, it’s unbelievable,” Stewart said.
“I think just continuing to show young kids like [Stewart’s daughter] Ruby and a lot of others the potential and the possibility of what is possible and making it normal. Making it so she expects this every time she walks into a WNBA arena. … We’re going to continue to make sure that we raise the bar and heighten the standard for the next generation.”
Clarke views the record-setting attendance as a “sign of the times” and one of “growth” for the league.
“I just couldn’t be more proud and happy that it’s happening in the WNBA and more importantly, and most importantly, because I’ve spent so much time with this franchise, that it’s happening for the New York Liberty,” she said.
If the Liberty even the series Wednesday night, the decisive Game 5 would be Friday night in Las Vegas.