Breanna Stewart Had Perfect Quote About Caitlin Clark, Liberty's Record Ticket Revenue

Tim Capurso | May 19, 2024

May 18, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) drives / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday's game between the New York Liberty and the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever was a historic contest for the WNBA as the Liberty won 91–80 in front of 17,735 fans at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Ny.

Riding the wave of New York's run to the WNBA Finals last fall, as well as the hype surrounding Clark, the game generated $2 million in profits off of ticket revenue for the Liberty, according to the Associated Press.

After the game, Liberty star Breanna Stewart was asked about the landmark moment for the WNBA during a press conference, and she provided a very thoughtful answer.

The New York Liberty brought in a league-record $2 million in ticket revenue for today’s game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

“It's a long time coming.”pic.twitter.com/P8w2y8fU3W

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 18, 2024

"I think that obviously the buzz and just the eyes that Caitlin has brought from Iowa now to the WNBA is gonna be a collective win for all," Stewart said. "And now that she's a part of our league and a part of our 144. ... Even though we're competing against each other, we're making sure that we're continuing to lift up this league together.

"And, I think that's what's the most important thing behind it. Obviously we have to put the best talent on the court every night. But making sure that there's growth. ... When I first started in the league, some teams weren't even making revenue. ... It's a long time coming."

Even without Clark's box office presence, the WNBA reached over 36 million viewers across its national networks, the highest total since 2008, during the 2023 season.

But, the Fever rookie will only help the league continue to grow in popularity, which as Stewart said, is the most important thing.