Angel Reese’s WNBA Debut HUMILIATED by Empty Seats — Is the Bayou Barbie Hype Over?

Reality Check: Empty Seats at Angel Reese’s Homecoming Game Spark Questions About Star Power

It was supposed to be a triumphant return. Angel Reese, the rookie phenom from the Chicago Sky, came back to LSU — the very arena where she won a national title, became a household name, and helped catapult women’s college basketball into the spotlight. Fans expected a celebration, a packed house, and a roaring crowd welcoming their hometown hero. But what unfolded instead told a very different story.

The PMAC, LSU’s home arena, holds more than 13,000 people. But on the night of Reese’s highly anticipated homecoming game, just 6,373 fans showed up — less than half capacity. The upper bowl was closed off entirely, and the lower bowl was spotty at best. Even with tickets priced at just $15 — the equivalent of a fast-food meal — thousands of seats remained embarrassingly empty. This wasn’t just disappointing; it was damning.

Photos of the arena flooded social media, and they didn’t lie. Entire sections of purple seats were vacant. Tight broadcast camera angles tried to hide the underwhelming turnout, but online images exposed the truth. What should have been a celebratory night for Reese looked more like an offseason scrimmage than a homecoming spectacle.

This turnout raises a tough question: Is Angel Reese really the draw she claims to be?

Reese has been vocal about her influence on the game, stating that people watch women’s basketball because of her. She’s embraced the dual role of “villain and victim,” positioning herself as one of the sport’s biggest names — a brand, a voice, a movement. But when the fans don’t show up in her own house, the narrative starts to fall apart.

Compare that to fellow WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark, and the difference is staggering. Clark’s preseason debut with the Indiana Fever sold out in under 30 minutes — 15,000 tickets gone in less time than it takes to cook dinner. Her games have forced teams to move to bigger arenas. The resale market is booming, with some fans paying hundreds of dollars just to watch her in preseason. Clark’s impact on attendance is undeniable — the numbers speak for themselves.

Meanwhile, Angel’s big night back at LSU couldn’t even draw a sellout at bargain-bin prices. For someone who declared herself a “needle mover,” the data paints a harsh reality. While her social media following is massive and brand partnerships are plentiful, actual turnout tells a more sobering story.

This isn’t to say Reese has no value to women’s basketball. Her presence, charisma, and outspoken personality have brought new energy to the game. She’s a cultural figure as much as a player. But it’s increasingly clear that online fame doesn’t always translate into real-world attendance.

The contrast between Reese and Clark isn’t about talent alone. It’s about who’s putting fans in seats. Clark’s draw extends beyond her hometown — she’s packing arenas across the country, and she hasn’t played a single regular season WNBA game yet. Reese, on the other hand, couldn’t fill half her college court on the night fans should have shown up the most.

It’s worth noting: this isn’t just about LSU, or even Reese specifically. The WNBA still struggles with attendance overall. But when two rookie stars hit the league at the same time, and one causes ticket sites to crash while the other plays in a half-empty arena, the conversation naturally shifts.

Fans aren’t blind. They show up when the product excites them. Right now, Caitlin Clark is delivering that spark. Angel Reese, despite all her media buzz, hasn’t proven she can do the same — at least, not yet.

At the end of the day, empty seats don’t lie. And on Angel Reese’s homecoming night, they spoke louder than any Instagram caption ever could.