WNBA Coach Vanessa Nygaard Blasts Low Attendance for Brittney Griner’s Comeback Game

When Brittney Griner, after 579 days away, made her emotional return to WNBA action, fans expected fireworks on the court—and in the stands. Instead, Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard was left incredulous, scanning the half-empty Crypto.com Arena and wondering: Why wasn’t it a sellout?

1. The Long-Awaited Return—and a Disappointing Atmosphere

Griner’s first game since being detained in Russia—a 94–71 loss to the Sparks—was individual redemption: she delivered 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 assists in 25 minutes of play. But from the stands, the picture was bittersweet.

Although Griner received a thunderous ovation before tip-off, Nygaard’s postgame comments captured deeper frustration:

“It was great. But like honestly, come on now L.A. We didn’t sell out the arena for BG? Like, I expected more, you know… But how was it not a sellout? How was it not a sellout?” KGUN 9 Tucson News+10mediaite.com+10Sportskeeda+10

2. Just Half Full: The Numbers Behind the Frustration

According to ESPN, just 10,396 fans attended the game at Crypto.com Arena, which seats approximately 19,068—about 55% capacity. In comparison, last season the Sparks averaged just over 5,600 fans per home game, marking almost a 100% increase this night, yet still falling significantly short of ticket sales expectations. The Western Journal+4Sportskeeda+4OutKick+4

For many teams in the league, drawing over 10,000 fans is notable—but Nygaard made it clear that she expected more given the magnitude of Griner’s return.

3. Not Just a Game: Symbolism Overshadowed Reality

Griner’s comeback was more than a basketball event. Months before, she faced a nine-year prison sentence in Russia for cannabis-related charges, before being released in a controversial prisoner swap involving the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout. Her return carried weighty political resonance and broad public empathy.

Even Vice President Kamala Harris attended, surprising players and cheering on Griner’s first appearance. washingtonexaminer.com+1Bounding Into Sports+1OutKick

Such VIP presence underscored the significance of the moment—but the empty seats undercut it.

4. Why the Disappointment? A Closer Look at the Context

Despite the inflated expectations, critics argue that Nygaard’s reaction was tone-deaf to the realities of women’s pro sports attendance. The WNBA operates on significantly lower revenue and fan turnout than male leagues, and full arenas are rare—even for major stars. washingtonexaminer.com+8The Western Journal+8OutKick+8

A writer at Western Journal pointed out:

“Would you ever attend one of Griner’s games?”
Nygaard is either factually wrong or holds a wildly outsized opinion on the WNBA’s popularity. Sportskeeda+10The Western Journal+10Bounding Into Sports+10

5. From Russian Prisoner to Local Hero: The Tense Homecoming

Coach Nygaard’s frustration echoed threads from earlier: in 2022 she asked, “If it was LeBron, he’d be home, right? It’s a statement about the value of women… Black… gay person.” basketnews.com

Her comments highlighted ongoing issues around media attention and support for marginalized identities. She clearly expected Griner—a two-time Olympic gold medalist and cultural symbol—to draw more attention and energy from fans.

6. Breaking Down the Attendence Reality

Metric
Figure

Arena Capacity
~19,068

Attendance
10,396 (~55%)

Sparks Season Average
~5,600 fans

Griner’s Game Attendance
Nearly double Sparks average

Despite doubling the Sparks’ typical audience, Nygaard’s disappointment stemmed from unmet expectations about how fans should show up for such a pivotal moment.

7. The Game Itself: Griner’s Stats Amid Team Struggles

Griner made her presence felt:

18 points

6 rebounds

4 blocks

2 assists

Despite the strong individual performance, Phoenix fell 94–71. In her previous season (2021), Griner had averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and nearly 2 blocks per game—helping Mercury reach the WNBA Finals. mediaite.com+4Sportskeeda+4mediaite.com+4OutKick+1The Western Journal+1washingtonexaminer.com+1The Western Journal+1The Western Journal+1mediaite.com+1Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion |+2Bounding Into Sports+2The Western Journal+2

Her return was both emotional and athletic, but did not yet translate into team success.

8. Fan Backlash and Media Critique

As Nygaard’s remarks circulated online, reactions ranged from defensive to cynical:

Some applauded the coach for demanding respect for Griner.

Others questioned whether she misunderstood WNBA commercial context. A Mediaite article suggested her remarks underestimated league limitations. basketnews.com

Critics like Jason Whitlock went further, mocking the narrative around Griner’s return, arguing that the media overhyped the moment while live crowds remained unimpressed. FOX Sports Radio

9. Why It Didn’t Sell Out: Deconstructing the Complex Factors

Timing: The game tipped off after 11 pm ET, limiting local attendance.

Market dynamics: Sparks fans may not prioritize Mercury games.

Broader fan engagement: WNBA fandom remains niche, with inconsistent promotional strategies. Sportskeeda+4The Western Journal+4Bounding Into Sports+4

Nygaard’s frustration may stem from hope that this narrative-defining moment would bring heightened turnout—but the structural context of women’s sports attendance arguably dampened expectations.

10. What This Means for the WNBA and Griner’s Legacy

Nygaard’s remarks reveal key tensions in women’s pro leagues over visibility, valuation, and cultural recognition. Griner’s journey—from Baylor defensive star to international symbol, Russian detainee, and Phoenix centerpiece—raises difficult questions:

Do fans value off-court resonance as highly as on-court excellence?

Is the WNBA equipped to convert media moments into sustained attendance?

What does it say when over half the arena sits empty during a national sporting narrative?

🏀 Final Thoughts

While Van Nygaard may have miscalculated the practical limitations of WNBA ticket sales, her frustration underscores the gulf between aspiration and infrastructure. Griner delivered a performance worthy of celebration—a return marked by empathy, courage, athleticism, and cultural significance. By contrast, only 10,396 fans showed, leaving the coach—and many others—wondering why “it wasn’t a sellout”. SportskeedaThe Western Journalmediaite.com

The episode highlights broader challenges facing women’s sports: turning symbolic moments into measurable support. Whether Nygaard’s demands ring fair or unrealistic, they force a reckoning: how do we translate admiration into tangible support—and who gets to decide what counts as fan loyalty?