Minnesota sports fans cheer on the Lynx as they attempt to repeat as champions

No other professional Minnesota sports team has won a national series since 1991. The Minnesota Lynx, last year’s national champion looks to repeat and become the first team to hold two consecutive national titles.

Last season, the Lynx, a team in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), beat the Atlanta Dream in the finals to win the title. During this past season, the Lynx went 27-7 and beat the Los Angeles Sparks 2-0 in the Western Conference finals to advance to the WNBA championship series.

Lynx tickets prices start at $25 during the championship games. This price scale is a stimulus for some students, who said they consider the low ticket cost a reason to attend games.

Senior Tammy Covacevich attended the Western Conference Semifinals game Sept. 28 against the Seattle Storm and said she thinks ticket prices are quite affordable for students.

“For a professional sports game it is a very cheap thing for students to go to,” Covacevich said.

Covacevich, an exchange student from Chile, said going to the Lynx game was something she wished to experience while in the United States.

“It has been my dream to go to an official basketball game, especially a women’s (game) since the WNBA is not shown internationally,” Covacevich said. “The team spirit was amazing. They gave towels to everyone to shake and there was a lot of music and dancing.”

According to the Park girls’ basketball coach Tim Sension the Lynx differ from their male counterpart, the Timberwolves, in playing style.

“The Lynx are more about basketball and less about entertainment than the NBA is,” Sension said. “The players are not doing it for the money, they are playing because they enjoy the game.”

Senior Makhi Moore said he takes pride in the Lynx because of their performance compared to other major Minnesota sports teams.

“There’s more of a community aspect because everyone is a fan,” Moore said.

Girls’ basketball player sophomore Katelyn Ederer said she thinks that compared to men’s sports, the WNBA is not of equal status and is often look down upon.

“The sport is definitely underrated and the players are paid less,” Ederer said.

Ederer said the Park girls’ basketball team can look up to the Lynx.

“They are a source of inspiration because of how good they are and their ability to work together as a team,” Ederer said.

The Lynx are scheduled to play the Indiana Fever at 7 p.m. Oct. 14, 17 and 24 at the Target Center.