“A Slap in the Face to Women’s Sports”: Phoenix Mercury Forced Out of Home Playoff Venue for Disney On Ice

July 28, 2025 — Shocking sports news: The WNBA semifinal matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces will not be played at Mercury’s home arena, the Footprint Center. Instead, the crucial playoff game will be moved to the campus of Arizona State University (ASU). Why? Because Disney On Ice needs the arena.

Yes, you read that right. In a decision many see as a clear display of disrespect toward women’s basketball and a stark example of inequality between men’s and women’s sports, the Mercury must play a vital playoff game away from their home court because the venue is booked for a children’s entertainment show.

This Is Not the First Time

The situation becomes even more absurd considering that just last week, the Phoenix Mercury were also forced out of the Footprint Center — their home court all season — to make way for a concert, despite having home-court advantage in their playoff series against the New York Liberty.

For those who aren’t closely following the WNBA, this is a deeply insulting scenario. In professional sports, especially in playoffs, home-court advantage is crucial — not just for technical reasons but also for team morale and fan support. The higher-seeded team earns the right to play on their home floor, surrounded by their fans, which statistically improves their chances of winning.

A Dangerous Message

Being pushed out of their arena twice in two weeks because of non-sporting events sends a dangerous message: women’s sports are still considered “less important” than other entertainment events, even those unrelated to sports.

Fans, journalists, former players, and even current athletes have voiced strong outrage. On social media, hashtags like #WNBARespectsToo and #LetHerPlay have exploded, with tens of thousands of shares and comments expressing frustration.

If the Series Extends to Game 4, More Chaos?

According to the schedule, if the Phoenix-Las Vegas playoff series (best of five) extends to Game 4, Mercury may once again lose their home court. The reason? The Phoenix Suns will have a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Footprint Center on that day — and no one can guarantee the Mercury could still use the venue if schedules conflict.

The Issue Goes Beyond Just the Venue

This story is not simply about a team having to switch courts. It reflects the longstanding systemic problem of undervaluing women’s sports. While NBA teams enjoy protected schedules, prime facilities, and massive media coverage, WNBA teams still fight every day for equal treatment.

Angel Reese, Chicago Sky’s rising star, tweeted:

“Disney On Ice >>> WNBA? So that’s where we stand?”

Sue Bird, the legendary Seattle Storm veteran, shared:

“There are no words to express the disappointment. This is playoffs. The peak of the season. And they’re kicked out of their home? Unbelievable.”

Widespread Frustration

Even seasoned sports journalists cannot stay silent. Howard Megdal, founder of The IX Newsletter, wrote:

“You can’t expect fans to respect the WNBA if even the arena organizers don’t prioritize it.”

Long-Term Consequences

Being forced off their home court not only affects the players’ mindset but also impacts attendance, ticket sales, and fan experience. Moving the game to a college venue like ASU raises concerns about broadcast quality, lighting, acoustics, and the playing surface.

This situation becomes even more painful if Phoenix Mercury don’t win the series — many fans will ask:
“What if they had played in their true home?”

Silence from the Organizations

What’s troubling is that so far, neither the WNBA nor Footprint Center have issued clear official statements explaining the situation or offering commitments to prevent it from happening again.

Meanwhile, Disney On Ice — produced by a Disney subsidiary — is running its own media campaign promoting its “shows in Phoenix” as if there is nothing controversial about taking over the arena during critical WNBA playoff games.

Conclusion: This Is About More Than a Single Game

The Phoenix Mercury being forced out of their home court is a symbol of the ongoing disrespect women’s sports face. This is not about one team, one event, or one schedule.

It’s about a system that still undervalues and sidelines women athletes.

If this happened to an NBA team like the Suns or Lakers, it would be breaking news worldwide, with immediate apologies, consequences, and changes.

But because it’s the WNBA, it’s just another event quietly pushed aside.