Dream wants butts in seats for ESPN2

By Matt Hennie | Jun 26, 2008 | 1:47 PM

The Atlanta Dream, mired in a slump to open their first season in the WNBA, faces a tough weekend. They play two of the league’s best teams, ones that have already handed them a combined three loses.

But when the Dream returns to Philips Arena on Tuesday for a three-game home stand, fans and team officials want a warm welcome. The July 1 game against Phoenix will be nationally televised on ESPN 2.

To help show the love, some hard-core fans are organizing a campaign to flood the arena with supportive signs for the TV audience to see. The effort even includes a pre-game sign-making session in the CNN food court adjacent to Philips, according to Jill Barry-Kessler, one of the organizers. The Dream is also handing out rally towels before the game.

“With all of the difficulty the team has been having, this is a great way to show the team and a national television audience that Atlanta supports the Dream and is a great place for basketball,” Barry-Kessler says.

The Dream is also doing its part to keep the seats filled. Despite the team’s 0-13 record, they’ve drawn an average of 7,710 to their eight home games. Team officials want to fill the stands on July 1 (and throughout the summer) and launched a “Cheaper by the Gallon” promotion this week.

For $4, you can see the Dream play on July 1 (Phoenix), July 3 (Houston), July 22 (Sacramento), Sept. 2 (Seattle) and Sept. 8 (Indiana). When’s the last time you’ve seen a pro sports event for $4?

For more information about the sign campaign, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Barry-Kessler.

Dream wants butts in seats for ESPN2

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