Holly Rowe Gets Emotional Over WNBA Growth Before Caitlin Clark Game in Toronto
Longtime ESPN reporter Holly Rowe became visibly emotional before Tuesday night’s Indiana Fever game against the Toronto Tempo, breaking down in tears as she took in the enormous crowd gathered for the WNBA matchup at Scotiabank Arena.
Rowe, one of the most recognizable voices in women’s basketball coverage, filmed herself before the game and struggled to contain her emotions. Rather than being upset about anything happening on the court, the veteran reporter was overwhelmed by what she viewed as another major sign of how far women’s basketball has come.
The sold-out game in Toronto attracted approximately 19,300 fans, creating a remarkable atmosphere for the WNBA’s first season with the Toronto Tempo. Rowe pointed toward the crowd while explaining that she was having difficulty concentrating on her job because she was so proud of what the league had built.
“I’m trying to work a basketball game tonight,” Rowe said in the emotional video before becoming overwhelmed. She then showed viewers the packed arena and spoke about the significance of thousands of fans turning out to watch women’s basketball in Canada.
The moment quickly attracted attention because of the presence of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Clark has become one of the biggest attractions in women’s basketball since entering the WNBA, and the Fever’s visit to Toronto generated enormous interest.
That connection is why some observers described Rowe’s emotional moment as another example of the “Caitlin Clark effect.” Although Rowe did not specifically credit Clark during her video, the Indiana star was one of the central reasons the matchup drew so much attention.
The Fever-Tempo game was moved to Scotiabank Arena, a much larger venue, because of the demand for tickets. The decision provided the WNBA with an opportunity to showcase its growing popularity in front of a massive Canadian audience.
Rowe has spent decades covering women’s basketball and has witnessed the sport’s development from a much different place. She joined ESPN full time in 1998 and has become a prominent reporter across college sports and the WNBA. Her long involvement with women’s basketball made the sight of a packed arena particularly meaningful to her.
The emotional reaction also came during an important period for the WNBA. The league entered its 30th season in 2026 and has continued expanding its footprint, with Toronto and Portland joining the league this year. Additional expansion plans are also in place for the coming years.
For Rowe, the Toronto crowd represented more than just another large attendance figure. It was evidence that women’s basketball had reached a level of mainstream interest that would have been difficult to imagine during earlier stages of her career.
The game itself delivered plenty of action. Indiana defeated Toronto 101-95, with Clark contributing 24 points and seven assists. The result gave the Fever another victory while adding another memorable chapter to Clark’s growing impact on the league.
Clark’s influence on WNBA attendance and television interest has been widely discussed since she entered the league. Even when she has not played, teams have continued to benefit from the increased attention surrounding the Fever and their star guard. Her arrival has helped bring new audiences to women’s basketball while intensifying conversations about the league’s future.
For Rowe, however, the moment appeared to be less about one player and more about the broader growth of the sport. Her tears reflected the perspective of someone who has spent years documenting women’s basketball and is now watching arenas fill with fans.
The emotional scene in Toronto quickly became one of the most memorable moments surrounding the game. While Caitlin Clark was a major part of the night’s attraction, Rowe’s reaction ultimately highlighted something bigger: the growing ability of women’s basketball to command major venues, large audiences and widespread attention.
As the WNBA continues to expand, moments like the one witnessed in Toronto are likely to become increasingly common. For veterans such as Holly Rowe, who have spent decades covering the sport, that growth is not simply a business development. It is a deeply personal milestone.
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