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"Based on What Exactly": Ex-ESPN Host Questions Angel Reese Effect as Caitlin Clark Comparisons Take Over WNBA Finals

The WNBA Finals have become a battleground for narrative dominance as Angel Reese’s rise to the league’s biggest stage has reignited comparisons to Caitlin Clark’s earlier cultural impact. While Reese leads the Atlanta Dream into Game 3 at State Farm Arena—where a 17,000-seat capacity will be fully utilized for the first time in the Finals—secondary market ticket prices for the match have soared to $201, the highest ever for a Finals game, with Games 3 and 4 listed at $208 and $227 respectively.

Yet former ESPN host Linda Cohn dismissed the so-called ‘Angel Reese effect’ as premature, arguing that these figures reflect inflated resale prices rather than true demand, and that actual sales data—let alone season-long attendance trends—should dictate any comparison to Clark’s influence. Meanwhile, the Dream’s playoff trajectory has shifted dramatically: just days ago, they lacked a confirmed Finals venue, but now fans are lining up in droves, with over 42,000 reportedly waiting during presale for the high-profile matchups.

Reese’s star power is undeniable, but Cohn’s skepticism underscores the debate over whether a few high-profile games can define a player’s broader impact on the sport’s growth.

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‘She Hasn’t Done This Alone’ – ESPN Legend Casts Doubts On Angel Reese’s Effect On Dream’s ‘Historic’ Ticket Prices