Phoenix Mercury Players Express Excitement for Historic First WNBA Game in South Dakota

As the Phoenix Mercury prepare for their April 25 exhibition game against the Chicago Sky at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, players are sharing their enthusiasm for what will be the first WNBA game ever played in South Dakota. The matchup marks a significant milestone for the league and offers a unique homecoming opportunity for Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts, a South Dakota native.

Players Anticipate Historic Moment in Sioux Falls

Several Phoenix Mercury players have voiced their excitement about bringing WNBA basketball to South Dakota for the first time. While specific player quotes from the original source could not be independently verified through the provided search results, the team’s overall anticipation for the event is consistent with the significance of the occasion.

The game represents more than just a preseason contest—it’s an opportunity to grow the sport in a fresh market and connect with fans who have never had the chance to see a WNBA game in person in their state.

Homecoming for Head Coach Nate Tibbetts

For Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts, the South Dakota game carries special personal meaning. Tibbetts grew up in the Sioux Falls area, attended Roosevelt High School and played college basketball at the University of South Dakota. His coaching roots also run deep in the state, having coached for the University of Sioux Falls and the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Tibbetts’ father, Fred Tibbetts, coached high school girls and women’s collegiate basketball in South Dakota for more than 30 years, winning an unprecedented 11 high school state championships. Mercury assistant coach Megan Vogel has local ties as a standout player at South Dakota State, where she finished her career second on the program’s all-time scoring list.

Community Engagement and Youth Clinic

Ahead of the game, the Phoenix Mercury will host a youth basketball clinic at the Sanford Pentagon on Friday, April 24. The clinic is designed for girls in grades 3-8 and will be led by Mercury players and coaches in partnership with the Sanford Sports Academy.

Registration for the clinic was limited to 150 athletes and has since filled, demonstrating strong local interest in the team’s visit and commitment to growing the game at the grassroots level.

Broadcast Details and Accessibility

To ensure broad access across South Dakota, Gray Media— the official local television broadcaster of the Phoenix Mercury— will air the exhibition game free over the air on its sister stations throughout the state.

In South Dakota, the broadcast will be available on Fox affiliates in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City markets:

• Sioux Falls — KDLT (46.2)
• Rapid City — KEVN (7.1)

The game will tip off at 3 p.m. CT and will be a simulcast of the Mercury’s official local broadcast on Arizona’s Family (KTVK) and Arizona’s Family Sports (KPHE). This approach allows fans across South Dakota to watch the historic game without subscription barriers.

Game Information and Ticket Availability

The Phoenix Mercury will face the Chicago Sky in a two-game preseason series, with the South Dakota contest serving as the first game. Tickets for the April 25 game went on sale Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. CT through Ticketmaster.com.

The Sanford Pentagon, known for hosting basketball events and tournaments, will provide the venue for this unprecedented WNBA appearance in South Dakota.

Significance for the WNBA and Women’s Basketball

This game marks a meaningful expansion of the WNBA’s footprint, bringing professional women’s basketball to a state that has never hosted a league game. By holding a preseason contest in Sioux Falls, the Mercury and the WNBA aim to showcase the sport’s growth and inspire the next generation of players and fans in the region.

The combination of local ties, community outreach, and accessible broadcasting underscores the intentional effort to make this event more than just a game—it’s a celebration of basketball’s reach and a step toward broader inclusion in emerging markets.

As April 25 approaches, excitement continues to build among players, coaches, and fans alike for what promises to be a memorable moment in WNBA history.