All of us in the WNBA family are constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to grow and expand the game. Whether they are players, fans, media, coaches or those that run W operations in New York City, broadening its reach is always a top priority.
Angel McCoughtry of the Las Vegas Aces has an idea.
Angel McCoughtry wants to see the @WNBA play a game in Africa by 2022. She has already talked to commissioner Cathy Engelbert about the idea.
The proposed game? @LVAces vs. @LASparks
“I’ve gone to Ghana, South Africa, they all know @Candace_Parker.” https://t.co/hy9QhwNI4R
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) January 5, 2021
In an interview with Sean Hurd at ESPN’s The Undefeated, she revealed an interesting concept – a WNBA game in Africa.
I’m working on trying to get a WNBA game in Senegal. They have a new sports facility, which is amazing. A year ago, they had the African championships, they had women, Senegal played Nigeria. It was packed out with 16,000 people.
–Angel McCoughtry, Las Vegas Aces (The Undefeated)
McCoughtry says she hopes to have it pulled off by 2022 – and that she has talked to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert about the idea.
Which teams would play? The two teams she said at the top of her list are her team, the Aces, and the Los Angeles Sparks because of Candace Parker’s name recognition.
I think because people know Candace Parker everywhere – I’ve gone to Ghana, South Africa, they all know Candace Parker. So I think a Las Vegas Aces versus Los Angeles Sparks would be great.
–Angel McCoughtry, Las Vegas Aces (The Undefeated)
As women’s basketball fans know, the Sparks’ reach into Africa is also helped by having Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike on their team.
McCoughtry then said after Senegal that Rwanda could be another location that would be a worthwhile host for a WNBA game.
It’s safe, crime is nonexistent, it’s the cleanest place you’ll ever see. You could lick the ground. I think that’ll be the next best place. Senegal and then Rwanda. And then of course, South Africa, because it’s South Africa.
–Angel McCoughtry, Las Vegas Aces (The Undefeated)
I always want to go to Africa, it’s an amazing experience. It’s nothing like TV portrays – more people need to be exposed to Africa.
–Angel McCoughtry, Las Vegas Aces (The Undefeated)
