We got the amazing opportunity to go a
New York Liberty WNBA game recently.
We were treated as royalty as soon as we stepped through the players' entrance. Sammy Steinlight, a Liberty publicist, met us at the security gate where we received our blue press passes and a Liberty Media guide. As we stepped into Madison Square Garden, our eyes bugged out and our hearts were beating as fast as a race car. The arena was so big! The music was pumping, and we saw all the hardworking dancers practicing their routines for the big game. We were so excited, we wanted to scream.
As Kidsday reporters, we got to sit on chairs at courtside and watch the players warm up. Jonathan Coachman, a sports reporter for MSG Network, came up to us and invited us to come with him to the interview room to watch him as he taped his pregame broadcast. We met his partner, Mary Murphy. She noticed how nervous we were, and she gave us some tips on talking in front of a camera. They made a mistake their first time and had to redo it. It made us feel better
Then, we got to interview two Liberty players,
Leilani Mitchell and
Erin Thorn. Our favorite part of the interviews was when we got to actually hug these players as we took pictures with them and when the players taught us some real basketball moves! Leilani taught us how to do a double crossover, and Erin taught us how to do a spin move.
Next, we went up to the press room with all the other reporters. It was amazing! This is where we ate dinner. And that's just what happened before the game even began.
During the game, we sat in the press seats, which had tables and flat-screen TVs. We loved watching and cheering for the Liberty, especially for the players we just interviewed. We loved when Leilani did a double crossover in the game -- because that was the move she had just taught us moments before the game.
We think everyone should go check out the New York Liberty. If you don't love basketball now, you will when you leave the Garden.
They have so many special features going on during the game. They throw free shirts and tennis balls into the stands. During halftime, to entertain the audience they put on dance music and turn cameras on the fans doing funny dances. Maddie, the team mascot, runs into the stands and dances with the fans. The day was like a giant party.
