The seismic waves generated by Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA continue to reshape the landscape of women’s professional basketball, and the latest tremor is a big one – big enough to warrant moving games to NBA-sized arenas.

The sheer, unprecedented demand to witness the Indiana Fever rookie sensation in action has led opposing teams to make a monumental decision: relocating their home games against the Fever from their usual WNBA venues to the much larger, often shared, arenas of their NBA counterparts.

This isn’t just a logistical shuffle; it’s a glaring, undeniable testament to the “Caitlin Clark effect” and the explosive growth the league is experiencing.

And as news of these venue upgrades reverberated, you can bet one person, a fellow rookie who knows a thing or two about captivating crowds and driving attention, Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, was absolutely thrilled, recognizing the magnitude of this moment for the entire sport.

Imagine the scenes: ticket websites crashing, season-ticket holder bases expanding exponentially, and secondary market prices soaring. This has become the reality for teams hosting Caitlin Clark and the Fever.

The Las Vegas Aces, reigning champions, announced they would move their July 2nd game against Indiana from the 12,000-seat Michelob Ultra Arena to the 18,000-capacity T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL’s Golden Knights and numerous NBA preseason games.

Similarly, the Washington Mystics, anticipating overwhelming demand, shifted their June 7th contest against the Fever from their usual 4,200-seat Entertainment & Sports Arena to the massive 20,000-seat Capital One Arena, where the NBA’s Wizards play.

These aren’t isolated incidents; they are calculated moves by franchises acknowledging that the interest generated by Clark, and by extension the renewed focus on the WNBA, simply cannot be contained within their traditional, more intimate settings.

This kind of news, the tangible proof of the league’s surging popularity, is exactly the kind of development that would have Angel Reese, Clark’s college rival and fellow WNBA phenom, buzzing.

While no direct, on-the-record “going nuts” quote might be attributed to her about these specific venue changes, her well-documented passion for growing the game and her own role in drawing massive crowds make her enthusiastic reaction entirely predictable and understandable.

Reese, who thrives in the spotlight and understands the power of visibility, would instantly grasp the significance.

This is validation. It’s proof that the appetite for women’s basketball, fueled by this electrifying rookie class and the established stars, is bigger than ever.

Moving games to NBA arenas isn’t just about accommodating more fans; it’s a statement. It declares, unequivocally, that these women, these teams, belong on the biggest stages, commanding the attention and resources often reserved for their male counterparts.

For a competitor like Reese, who has been central to the increased discourse and viewership in women’s basketball, this is a collective win, a sign that the movement she’s part of is reaching new heights.

The phrase “THIS IS HUGE!” perfectly encapsulates the feeling. It’s huge for the fans, many of whom might be new to the WNBA, who now have a better chance to see a player who has captivated the nation.

It’s huge for the host teams, who stand to benefit from significantly increased gate receipts, merchandise sales, and overall exposure.

It’s huge for the Indiana Fever, who are suddenly the league’s must-see roadshow, playing in environments usually reserved for NBA playoff games.

But most importantly, it’s huge for the WNBA itself. For years, the league and its players have fought for greater recognition, investment, and respect.

Seeing teams willingly move to 20,000-seat arenas to meet demand sends a powerful message to broadcasters, sponsors, and the wider sporting world: invest in us, cover us, because the audience is here, and they are passionate.

Angel Reese, leading her own charge with the Chicago Sky, is experiencing her own version of this heightened attention. The Sky have seen significant increases in ticket sales and viewership, driven by her arrival and the team’s compelling storylines.

She knows the energy of a packed arena, having played in front of massive crowds during her college career, particularly during those epic clashes with Clark’s Iowa. She understands that bigger venues mean more eyes, louder cheers, and a grander platform.

Her excitement wouldn’t just be about Clark; it would be fueled by the realization that this rising tide, this wave of interest forcing games into NBA arenas, has the potential to lift all boats.

More fans in these large venues for Fever games means more people potentially discovering the home team, buying merchandise, and becoming invested in the WNBA for the long haul. It’s a gateway, and Reese is smart enough to recognize that.

This shift, of course, doesn’t come without its own set of considerations. There are logistical challenges, questions about whether this demand is sustainable league-wide, and the ongoing debate about how to ensure all teams and players benefit from this increased spotlight.

However, these are the problems of growth, the challenges that come with unprecedented popularity.

The overwhelming feeling, the one that would resonate with players like Angel Reese who are pouring their heart and soul into this league, is one of triumph. Playing in NBA arenas, even for select games, breaks down a psychological barrier.

It normalizes the idea of WNBA games as major sporting events, capable of drawing crowds comparable to their male counterparts. It’s a visual, tangible representation of the league’s arrival in the mainstream consciousness.

So, when news breaks that games involving her former rival are being moved to colossal NBA venues because the demand is simply too immense, you can easily picture Angel Reese’s reaction – not one of jealousy, but one of shared, energetic celebration.

It’s the kind of development that validates the hard work, the talent, and the growing star power within the WNBA.

It’s a sign that the lights are getting brighter, the stages are getting bigger, and the world is finally paying the attention these incredible athletes deserve.

It’s not just a scheduling change; it’s a landmark moment, a clear signal of a new era dawning for women’s basketball. And yes, for Angel Reese, for Caitlin Clark, for every player in the league, and for the future of the sport, that truly is huge.