r/LASparks

Bookies.com broke down the full cost for a family of four at all 15 WNBA venues — tickets, parking, beer, soda, and hot dogs. Moda Center comes in at $188.81 average, the cheapest in the league and well below the $331.11 WNBA average. Tickets alone are just $96.91 for four seats. Full breakdown here: https://bookies.com/news/wnba-cost-to-attend-index

The Los Angeles Sparks have signed guard Kate Martin to a player development contract. 

“Kate is a gifted shooter, whose grittiness 
and winning history mesh well with Sparks basketball,” said Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley. “She’s confident in her shot, plays tenacious defense and is an unselfish, high-energy teammate.  We’re eager to watch 
Kate develop within our system.” 

Drafted by the Las Vegas Aces in the second round (18th overall) of the 2024 WNBA Draft, Martin has played 76 games (six starts) over two seasons. As a rookie, she shot 35.5% from beyond the arc and 91.7% from the free-throw line. Prior to the 2025 campaign, the Iowa Hawkeye product was claimed in the expansion draft by the Golden State Valkyries, where she averaged 6.2 points per game. 

On Thursday, the guard was waived by the Valkyries.  The versatile Martin was the first University of Iowa women’s basketball player to record at least 900 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 120 steals and 60 blocks in her career. The Illinois native made her mark in Iowa City, leading the Hawkeyes to back-to-back national championship runner-up finishes. 
WNBA teams can carry two developmental roster spots, creating in-house training pipelines outside the salary cap.

These players practice, receive stipends/benefits and can be activated for up to 12 games, aiding player development and team depth. 

Hello Sparks fans!

My name is Simone Barnard and I am a grad research assistant at the University of San Francisco. We are currently running the Know Rivalry Project and we want to make sure the LA Sparks are properly represented. Since 2014, our study has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and NYT, and now we are finally expanding our data collection specifically for the WNBA.

Could you take 9 minutes to weigh in on who the Sparks' biggest rivals are? You can find the survey on KnowRivalry.com and click on the “TAKE THE SURVEY” link.

This is 100% academic research approved by our Institutional Review Board (IRB). We just want to get the fan perspective right. Thanks for helping a fellow student out!

Simone Barnard, Student Researcher, University of San Francisco

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Comments: (I recommend listening to the post-game interview if you have not yet. Especially if you follow multiple sports/teams). TL;DR -

Roberts said that "we" want Cam to play better; that "we" believe in Cam and she needs to believe in herself; and the team needs to work on having better chemistry.

The "we" that Roberts used is assumed to be herself and the team/organization as a whole. The first issue I noticed with this phrasing was that Roberts is basically saying, "we" are not the problem, "she" (Cam) needs to figure it out and play better. Which is a common response to any player after a bad game. Fans say it, commentators say it, sometimes even teammates will say it about each other. But that response is not supposed to come from the Player's own organization. Or Coach in this case. E.g Doc Rivers & Bucks.

Not unless the Coach is discussing a lifetime star player dealing with a slump. E.g Kerr & Warriors; Hammon & Aces.

Secondly, Roberts' commentary on team chemistry is valid but only up to a point. The Aces also fielded new players. Specifically Chennedy Carter. In watching the game, you can see the amount of plays prepared to have Carter start possessions in a scoring position. I think she only received the ball on about half of those possessions (because Point Gawd, A'ja, & Jackie were getting to it anyways), but the important part is that you could see Carter in a designed shot position often.

When actors lack chemistry to improve, the director steps in to make the play. E.g Nakase & Valkyries.

I am interested to see how the players respond to yesterday over the next few weeks. Both the loss & comments. Even if you are not Cam, I wonder if any of the other low minute players felt a reaction? Wheeler shot 1-11 yesterday but had 18min (she also had 3 steals). I wonder what Z & Rickea are up to?

Note: I was not Roberts' biggest fan before because she coaches like Darvin Hamm on a good day, but making those statements after such a tough opening game feels extra devastating.

Sparks introduced new host JayBee and DJ Jay Shalé in tomorrow’s season opener gameday preview.

Red Panda will be giving the halftime show.

JayBee hosted for UNLV men and women’s basketball games and DJ Jay Shalé served as Atlanta Dream DJ for four seasons.