🔴 SH0CK!NG TURNAROUND: Angel Reese STUNNED as LSU Gym Remains DESERTED for Sky Preseason — Even the Cheapest Tickets FAILED to Fill the Seats

In an unexpected twist that few saw coming, star forward Angel Reese was left visibly stunned as the LSU home arena — once a roaring fortress during her collegiate days — sat eerily deserted during the Chicago Sky’s preseason game. Despite Reese’s massive popularity and social media dominance, thousands of empty seats told a different story, sparking serious questions about fan engagement and WNBA market dynamics.

The game, which marked Reese’s highly anticipated return to Baton Rouge — this time wearing a Chicago Sky jersey — was expected to be a homecoming celebration. Yet fans, analysts, and even players were left shocked when the crowd turnout fell dramatically short, even with ticket prices slashed to as low as $5.

“It felt surreal… like where is everybody?” one local fan commented.
Even seasoned sports reporters noted the lack of energy:
“I’ve covered LSU for years. This was unlike anything I’ve seen — especially for someone as culturally relevant as Angel Reese.”

For context, Reese was instrumental in putting LSU women’s basketball back in the national spotlight, helping secure a national championship in 2023 and becoming one of the most recognizable faces in college sports. Her move to the WNBA was met with enormous hype — and expectations that her following would bring a fresh wave of fans to the league.

Instead, the near-empty stands in Baton Rouge during the Sky’s preseason match painted a troubling picture. Some blamed poor marketing. Others pointed fingers at lingering scheduling confusion, minimal local promotion, or even fatigue from the non-stop media buzz around Reese and Caitlin Clark’s growing rivalry.

Critics were quick to capitalize.
“This is proof social media fame doesn’t always equal real ticket sales,” one sports blogger wrote bluntly.
“Angel Reese may be trending online, but that doesn’t mean fans are showing up.”

Still, supporters argue this is just a growing pain — not a red flag.
“Let’s not forget this is preseason,” a WNBA commentator defended. “If anything, this should be a wake-up call to the league and franchises: invest in promotion and community engagement.”

As for Angel Reese, she remained composed in the postgame press conference, though her body language suggested disappointment.
“I’m grateful for everyone who came out,” she said. “I just want to keep growing the game — that’s what this is about.”

Whether this lackluster turnout is a one-time anomaly or an indicator of a deeper issue remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the WNBA’s rising stars — no matter how famous — still face an uphill battle in turning digital buzz into physical butts in seats.