My friend Marissa and I have a longstanding tradition of going to at least one Los Angeles Sparks game each season. This past Friday, we kept up the tradition by seeing the Sparks play against the Golden State Valkyries.
On the way to Crypto.com Arena, I drove through the Broadway Theater District in Downtown Los Angeles (LA). I loved the sight of the antique buildings with pretty architecture. As a photographer, I made a mental note to return with my camera during summer break.
Upon arriving at the arena, it’s easy to gravitate towards the larger-than-life statues of famous players, which serve as a reminder of the history of LA basketball. If the statues weren’t enough of a reminder, then the murals and banners hanging in the rafters were.
I noticed that the arena was very packed, more packed than I’ve seen it for a Sparks game. Despite the Valkyries being a new team, many people were donning their logo on their chests. I also noticed that many people were wearing shirts from TOGETHXR reading “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports,” a statement I found to be becoming increasingly true.
In the past, I’ve noticed that the people in the stands for the Sparks games were mostly women. However, on Friday, I noticed that the audience had become more diverse. Once in my seat, I glanced around to see a little boy wearing a Valkyries jersey and a group of young men very excited to be on the jumbotron. NBA superstar Kevin Durant was even in attendance, a testament to how much the league has grown.
While the players warmed up, Marissa and I attempted to guess the players’ heights. Soon after the Valkyries starting line up was called, it was time for the Sparks. The lights dimmed and the intro video began to play. “tv off” by Kendrick filled the arena, the bass was loud enough to feel; aura and culture seeped through the screen.
To say the crowd was hyped would be an understatement. Cheers erupted with each name called, but none compared to when Kelsey Plum’s name was called. Plum, who was traded to LA during the off-season, was welcomed with open arms and quickly became a favorite amongst Sparks fans.
Tip-off, Valkyries ball. The visitors definitely showed out in this game, but the Sparks had some good plays, too. Fan reactions have always been my favorite part of any sports game. The ooos after a big block, the ahhs after a step back, and the boos during an opposing player’s free throw attempt have always made me laugh.
The main reason Marissa and I chose to come to the Sparks game against the Valkyries was that Marissa was a big fan of Kate Martin, a player on the Valkyries who rose to fame while at the University of Iowa with Caitlin Clark. Marissa got very excited when Martin was jogging to the scorer’s table in preparation for subbing in. Seeing my friend snapping photos of her favorite player with her digital camera was amusing.
During halftime, we walked around the arena again in search of ICEE Slurpees. I noticed a sensory pod and a lactation pod. The sensory pod was a dark room with soundproofing on the walls and puzzles. According to the sign inside the door, it was meant for people who were overstimulated and needed a break from the noise. Although I didn’t enter the lactation room, I could guess its purpose from the name. After waiting in the Wetzel’s Pretzels line, I got my slurpee and returned to my seat.
Upon returning to my seat, I noticed a girl with paintings of the players. A big reason I found this interesting was that Marissa and I had seen the same girl at a game last season. I got the chance to speak with her, and I learned her name is America (@avpaints_ on Instagram). She talked about having a deep appreciation for sports that spanned years.
In 2021, America made her first athlete portrait of Breanna Stewart and got the opportunity to get it signed by Stewart. Since then, America has been hooked. Being born and raised in Los Angeles and going to school at California State University, Los Angeles, has allowed her to go to games for not only the Sparks but also Angel City Football Club. “[I go] as often as possible when I’m in school and when summer hits, I try to be at any game I can. If I’m not at a WNBA game, I’m most likely at a NWSL game.” America told me. So far, she has been able to share her work with big names like Nika Mühl, Trinity Rodman, Christen Press, Alyssa Naeher and Kate Martin.
The game ended in a win for the Valkyries. As we stepped out of the arena, we were immediately hit with the smell of overpriced bacon-wrapped LA hot dogs. On the walk back to my car, I took another look at the fans exiting the arena. I saw the younger version of myself in the little girls leaving with their parents. I grew up in LA and loved the Sparks for as long as I can remember, evident based on the team’s merch in my closet, ranging from the sizes of youth small to adult medium. Going to their games is something I look forward to every year. From the cheers of the crowd after a tough basket to seeing everyone put up three fingers following a three-pointer, I love it all.
