The $15,360 Cost of Being a WNBA Super Fan

Welcome to Show the Receipts, a new series where we ask interesting people to share exactly how much it costs to get shit done. No matter the task, we're tracking every last dollar from start to finish. Up next: a Met Gala manicure.

Andrea Brown, a 36-year-old communications consultant in Houston, TX, has been a WNBA super fan since she can remember. As a kid, she grew up playing basketball, and she watched as the Houston Comets dominated the league. Her team won the first-ever WNBA championship in 1997 and garnered four more during the early years.

When the Houston Comets ceased operations in 2008, Brown had to find another WNBA team to root for. She chose the city closest to her hometown, and is now a bonafide Dallas Wings fan. For Brown, being a WNBA super fan is personal. "Supporting the game is honoring the legacy of the women I grew up watching, and investing in the future of the game, so that younger girls have the opportunity to see the game live its fullest potential," she says. "The passion, the skill, and the love of the game you see in the W is unmatched."

Because Brown no longer has a home team in her city, she has to travel about three and a half hours by car or take a one-hour and 20-minute plane ride to Dallas to watch in-person games. There are 22 games in the season, and she goes to about 10 in person during the season. With the new WNBA season starting May16, we wanted to know what it costs to be a WNBA super fan, per season — going to the games, buying merch, eating snacks at the stadium, and the like.

Here's the full breakdown.

Task: Being a WNBA super fan

Occupation: Communications consultant

Location: Houston, TX

Timeline: The WNBA season and post-season, which runs from May through October

Team: Dallas Wings

Venue: College Park Center in Arlington, TX

The Receipts

Season tickets: Dallas Wings Season Tickets range from $1,760-2,000 for section 107.

Airfare: $350 ($3,500 for 10 games)

Hotel: $250-650 per night (approx. $4,500 for 10 games)

Parking or rideshare: $50-75 per game (approx. $630 for 10 games)

Food and beverage on game day: $150-200 per game, usually consisting of a nice dinner before the game (approx. $1,750 for 10 games)

Game snacks: $50-$75 (approx. $630 for 10 games)

Merchandise: $50-100

Jersey: $150

League Pass (to watch games from home or on the app): $35 annually

Pre-Season game trips: $500-750, can vary depending on where they're located and the travel costs involved.

Meet-and-greet fan experience: $500

WNBA playoff tickets (away): $400-1,500

Total: $15,360

How I Did It

For Brown, supporting her team — and the WNBA as a whole — is incredibly important. Each season varies in terms of how much tickets and travel ultimately cost, and interest in the WNBA is hiking up prices. But for now, Brown is committed to continuing to show up for the league.

PS: What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?

Andrea Brown: This season feels like the next phase in a new era. There's a surge in visibility, talent, and competition, especially with rookies like Paige Bueckers bringing new eyes, and the veterans like A'ja Wilson continuing to level up their game. I'm especially excited to see how the Las Vegas Aces work their way back to title contention now that they are healthy. I'm looking forward to seeing how Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese continue their growth as stars in the league. The W is growing so quickly, and it's finally getting the attention it deserves. Being part of this moment as a fan is powerful.

PS: What makes the WNBA so special that you would pay more than for other sports events?

AB: Apart from the fact that basketball is my favorite sport, I understand how important the W is to the continued development of women athletes. As a former player, I see the beauty in the fundamentals, the strategy, and the leadership in every possession. Girls need sports! And there is a place for everyone. These leagues represent an opportunity for girls and women to see themselves at the highest level of the game.

PS: What's an item you've purchased that was worth the price tag?

AB: I still have memorabilia from the Houston Comets championship era. I was able to purchase dog tags and replica championship rings. I also have a few vintage pieces (T-shirts) from that time. They are especially meaningful since the Houston Comets are no longer a team.

PS: Are there any super fan hacks you've learned along the way to pass on to other fans?

AB: Follow your team on social media and, more importantly, sign up for the team's newsletters. You'll get a heads up on on-sale dates for tickets, player meet-and-greets, merch, and exclusive events.

PS: There is increased demand for the sport, which means the prices keep going up. Will this change your spending habits?

AB: The W is where it's at, and I'll keep supporting the league with my dollars. This makes every trip, ticket, jersey, and order of stadium nachos 100 percent worth it. You can't put a price on that level of authenticity and representation the W offers!

Ralinda Watts is an author, diversity expert, consultant, practitioner, speaker, and proven thought leader who works at the intersection of race, identity, culture, and justice. She has contributed to numerous publications such as PS, CBS Media, Medium, YahooLifestyle, and the Los Angeles Times.