Although we’re in talks to possibly get a WNBA franchise in the coming years, Philadelphia currently has no major professional women’s sports teams. But that definitely doesn’t mean the city lacks women’s sports fans.
Jennifer Leary, a former professional athlete and longtime women’s sports enthusiast, runs the Instagram account @WatchPartyPHL, an effort to create space for women’s sports fans to watch WNBA games, National Women's Soccer League matches, and other women’s sports as a community. So far, Leary has held one “Watch Party Philly” event, with more to come.
Hey Philly chatted with Leary about these gatherings.
This interview has been condensed.
What inspired you to start this watch party effort?
“I never really had anywhere to go where I could watch the games. A lot of bars don't even put the games on. They'll put maybe the playoff games or the championship game on, but they don't even have the volume on.
“I wanted a space where me and my friends and the community of women's sports fans that are in the city — cause I know they're out there — that we have some place to go, where we can be together with the game on, with the volume up, cheering on our teams.”
Why do you think this kind of event is important?
“I want to be able to show not just the NWSL and WNBA that there's a committed group of fans in this city, that it's feasible to bring a team here … but also show the rest of the world that die-hard Philly sports fans [aren’t just] men. It includes women, too.”
What do you think is the strongest argument for professional women’s sports to establish franchises here in Philly?
“I think it's revenue. Like we've seen with the WNBA, if you build it, they will come. If you show the games on television, people will watch them. If you bring a team here, we will come. We will give you the money.
“We have the fan base here. We're surrounded by the Northeast Corridor, so we have that East Coast rivalry at play. It would make for great viewing, and there’s definitely a want in the city.”
🏀 Watch Party Philly’s first WNBA viewing event is at Stir Lounge in Center City on Thursday at 6 p.m, for the New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever game. Admission is $5.
