Monarchs Fans To Enjoy More Western Conference Rivalry Games At Arco Arena In 2009

December 18, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Dec. 18, 2008 - Sacramento Monarchs fans will have the opportunity to watch the team battle its Western Conference rivals more often at ARCO Arena this season, as the Monarchs will play each Western Conference team twice at home in 2009. In addition, the 34-game schedule features the Monarchs playing 11 weekend home games including four Friday, five Saturday and two Sunday games.

"With such considerable talent in the West, we're excited that fans will have additional opportunities to experience heated Western Conference rivalries at ARCO Arena this season," said Danette Leighton, vice president of Monarchs business operations. "Also, at the request of our fans, we are extremely pleased to host a majority of our home games on weekends."

Fans looking to give the gift of Monarchs basketball can purchase a Monarchs Holiday Gift Package now at SacramentoMonarchs.com or by calling 916-419-WNBA. Those who purchase a Holiday Gift Package by January 2 will receive the opportunity of a lifetime - the chance to meet a Monarchs player up-close and in-person.

Western Conference home match-ups include:

2008 MVP and Rookie of the Year Candace Parker, 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 15

2008 Western Conference Champion San Antonio Silver Stars on Thursday, July 30 and Thursday, Sept. 10

2008 Sixth Woman of the Year and Stanford standout Candice Wiggins and the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, June 16 and Sunday, Sept. 13

2008 WNBA leading scorer Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, July 11

2008 All-WNBA Second Team selection Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm on Saturday, June 6 and Friday, July 17

Additional key home match-ups include: Sunday, July 19, vs. the 2008 WNBA Champion Detroit Shock; and Tuesday, Sept. 1 vs. the 2008 WNBA Coach of the Year Mike Thibault and the Connecticut Sun.

Sacramento will be featured on national television once during the 2009 season. ESPN2 will televise the Thursday, July 9 game at KeyArena vs. the Seattle Storm, at 6 p.m. The Monarchs local television schedule will be released at a later date.

Following is the 2009 Monarchs regular season schedule, including key facts:

KEY FACTS ABOUT THE SACRAMENTO MONARCHS 2009 SCHEDULE

- By month, the schedule breaks down as follows: June (3 home, 6 away = 9 total), July (5 home, 6 away = 11 total), Aug.(5 home, 5 away = 10 total) and Sept. (4 home, 0 away = 4 total).

- By day, the schedule breaks down as follows: Tuesday (3 home, 3 away = 6 total), Wednesday (0 home, 2 away = 2 total), Thursday (3 home, 3 away = 6 total), Friday (4 home, 3 away = 7 total), Saturday (5 home, 2 away = 7 total) and Sunday (2 home, 4 away = 6 total).

- The Monarchs longest home stand is four games, which includes contests against Connecticut (Sept. 1), Atlanta (Sept. 4), San Antonio (Sept. 10) and Minnesota (Sept. 13).

- Sacramento will play five back-to-back games including: June 6 and 7 (Seattle, home and away), June 12 and 13 (Phoenix, home and away), July 22 and 23 (Connecticut and New York), August 14 and 15 (Los Angeles, away and home) and August 28 and 29 (Minnesota and Indiana).



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from December 18, 2008


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