ESPN’s Holly Rowe Gets Emotional Over Record WNBA Attendance at Fever Game

Veteran ESPN sideline correspondent Holly Rowe struggled to maintain composure ahead of Tuesday’s Indiana Fever-Toronto Tempo matchup in Canada, with her emotional response centered on the magnitude of the crowd rather than any on-court developments. The reporter posted a roughly one-minute video capturing her teary-eyed reaction to the pre-game atmosphere, interspersed with footage of the packed arena.

“I’m trying to work a basketball game tonight,” Rowe said in the footage while visibly overcome. “But I keep crying because look at what they have built. I literally cannot quit crying to do my job right now. I mean, we have 19,000 people coming tonight to watch women’s basketball and I’m just so proud.”

The Indiana Fever’s game against Toronto was relocated to the larger Scotiabank Arena specifically to accommodate unprecedented ticket demand. This capacity adjustment represents part of a broader pattern affecting the WNBA, with six teams similarly expanding venues last year alone to meet fan interest.

Caitlin Clark appeared in the Canadian city for the first time alongside teammate Sophie Cunningham, both factors contributing to the record-breaking attendance. Clark’s presence in the league has consistently driven television ratings to historic levels and prompted multiple teams to move games to larger facilities since her professional debut.