After rival fans first appeared in Athlon Sports, Page Bueker felt unwell.
The Dallas Wings faced the New York Liberty on Friday in their third matchup over two weeks, with Dallas winning the first game late last month, and New York taking the second 85-76 on Tuesday.
In the latest game, John Quell Jones led the Liberty with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Page Bueker stood out for Dallas with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
All three WNBA games on Friday were broadcast on Aeon, with the Wings playing at 7:30pm in Arlington.
Bueker entered this rematch managing back issues that briefly sidelined her on Tuesday before she returned to finish the game. She participated in Thursday’s practice and is listed as day-to-day, but Dallas coach Chris Cokranes expressed confidence that “she should be fine” for Friday’s game.
In a video posted Friday, Bueker reflected on transitioning between arenas and rival teams, emphasizing the supportive nature across the WNBA.
She said, “It’s very surreal. It’s about people continuing to support my journey at every stage, and I’m very grateful.”
“And in a way, I feel bad for not showing love or being able to go back to everyone for autographs and photos… but I want them to know I deeply appreciate their support,” Bueker added.
Page Bueker, the Dallas Wings’ standout player, holds the No. 1 overall pick from the 2025 WNBA draft and is a former UConn star with one of the league’s most promising rookie profiles.
Already decorated professionally, she has earned back-to-back WNBA Rookie of the Month awards for June and July.
This season, she averages 18.6 points, 5.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, making her a strong Rookie of the Year contender despite the Wings struggling with an 8-22 record, last in the Western Conference.
Her impact goes beyond stats. Since the draft, Bueker has significantly increased:
– Marketability: SportsPro reports NorthStar analysts gave her a score of 81.18/100.
– Merchandise and ticket sales: The Wings saw a “notable” rise, especially with new “Rebels” and “Explorer” Nike jerseys featuring her name and number 5, which sold out within hours, according to the Sports Business Journal.
– Jersey sales trends: Industry experts predict Bueker’s jerseys will rank among the top-selling WNBA items this season, following in the footsteps of Clark’s 2024 success.
The Wings set a new Texas WNBA attendance record with 20,409 fans attending a game at the American Airlines Center on June 29.
Ticket demand data shows Dallas’ average home game ticket price is $321—up 74% from last year—making it one of the highest-demand teams alongside the Indiana Fever.
In short, Bueker is doing for Dallas what Clark did for Indianapolis: boosting revenue through tickets, merchandise, and broadcasts, while sparking greater local interest.
As the WNBA’s franchise values climb (now nearing $3.5 billion across the league), Bueker’s contribution provides a valuable data point for investors and sponsors, bolstering the league’s push into mainstream sports prominence.
This story was first reported by Athlon Sports on August 8, 2025.
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Fan Take: Page Bueker’s rise is a game-changer for the WNBA, showcasing the growing marketability and star power within the league. Her ability to drive ticket sales and merchandise demand highlights how rising stars can elevate the sport’s visibility and financial success, signaling a bright future for women’s basketball.
