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Wembymania is transforming one of the sleepier parts of the NBA’s calendar.
The fan frenzy over rookie Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ No. 1 overall draft pick, has created unprecedented levels of ticket sales for the NBA Summer League, a developmental event growing quickly in stature but historically followed by only the most avid of basketball fans.
Tickets for Wembanyama’s Summer League debut Friday in Las Vegas are no longer available on the primary market, with all 17,500 seats at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center selling out by Wednesday.
Prominent ticket marketplace Vivid Seats has resale listing prices for Friday’s game reaching $106 — 23% higher than the prior event record set in 2019 for Zion Williamson’s debut for New Orleans. Courtside seats for Wembanyama’s debut are now surging toward $1,200 each as demand grows.
The Las Vegas activity adds to sizable ticket sales increases back in San Antonio for the Spurs’ upcoming season, as well as for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
ESPN will carry the Spurs’ Summer League game live on Friday against Charlotte.
More No. 1 Pick Buzz
Over in the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard — another widely heralded top-overall draft pick — is sparking his own sales surge.
Bedard’s official No. 98 jersey has quickly become a fixture among Chicago-area fans and has taken over the official Blackhawks team store — before the phenom even turns 18 or completes the signing of his contract.
