Veteran ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe found herself overwhelmed with emotion ahead of Tuesday night’s game between the Toronto Fever and the Tempo, held at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The scene, marked by a sold-out crowd exceeding 19,000 spectators, moved Rowe to tears before she even stepped onto the court.
In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Rowe expressed her astonishment at the atmosphere and the growth of the sport in Canada. “I keep crying because look at what they have built in Canada,” she remarked, visibly moved by the turnout. The game had been relocated from the Tempo’s usual venue, the Coca-Cola Coliseum, to the larger Scotiabank Arena in order to accommodate the overwhelming fan demand.
The Emotional Build-Up to a Landmark Match
This shift to a bigger arena underscored the increasing popularity of the WNBA in Toronto, with fans turning out in record numbers to support the Fever and Tempo. The energy in the arena was palpable, creating an unforgettable pregame atmosphere that resonated not only with the players and staff but with reporters like Rowe who have witnessed the league’s evolution firsthand.
Rowe’s candid reaction before the tip-off captured a moment of genuine admiration for the sport’s growth and the community’s passionate embrace of women’s basketball. Her tears were a testament to the significance of this milestone event in Toronto’s sporting calendar, reflecting both the emotional weight and the inspiring progress of the WNBA in Canada.