The San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA draft by picking #1 Victor Wimpanyama. Even before the season started, the hype of the 7-foot-3 center was already having an impact on the Spurs franchise.
Many fans are waiting for Wimpanyama to make their Summer League debut in Las Vegas, which has caused ticket prices to skyrocket for normally affordable exhibition games.
His first game of the Summer League season was scheduled for Friday night in a marquee game against #2 pick Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets. Once available for purchase, tickets sold out quickly.
Tickets at the Thomas and Mack Center and Cox Pavilion started at $45, but on the secondary market at places like StubHub, ticket prices are insane.
For two lower bowl seats in Wembanyama’s Summer League debut, it would have cost fans $850 each.
The Victor Wimpanyama effect is real
If the Summer League is any indication, the Spurs organization is poised to make a big profit in Wimpanyama’s rookie season.
The cheapest ticket available for the first Wimpanyama Summer Championships was $172.
That means the cost of watching Wimpanyama play an exhibition game is already 149% higher than the average Spurs home game last season.
Compared to other summer league games, tickets for Wimpanyama are three times more expensive for the same seat the following night. When he’s not playing, game ticket prices are very affordable.
To get a seat near the sideline at the Thomas & Mack Center, fans must be prepared to pay $570 a ticket.
Victor Wimpanyama Summer League Schedule
Game | date | time (EST) | TV broadcast |
Charlotte Hornets vs San Antonio Spurs | July 7, 2023 | 9:00 pm | ESPN |
Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs | July 9, 2023 | 20:00 | ESPN2 |
Washington Wizards vs San Antonio Spurs | July 11, 2023 | 10:30 pm | NBA TV |
San Antonio Spurs vs Detroit Pistons | July 14, 2023 | 8:30 p.m | NBA TV |
Wembanyama’s debut sell out Summer League Arena
Despite the high ticket prices for an exhibition game, Wimpanyama did not impress in his FIBA Summer League debut.
He finished the game with nine points, eight rebounds and five blocks, but led the Spurs to a 76-68 victory over second place Brandon Miller and the Charlotte Hornets. 7 feet 3
The Thomas & Mack Center sold out all 17,500 tickets for Wimpanyama’s debut, the second time the venue was sold out the day before a Summer League match.
The other time was in Zion Williamson’s first summer league game of 2019.