Liberty to host outdoor hoops

The WNBA’s New York Liberty will host the Indiana Fever Saturday night at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing in the first regular season outdoor game in pro basketball history.
Dubbed the Liberty Outdoor Classic, the game will be sponsored by American Express and The Hallmark Channel, while The Breast Cancer Research Foundation will serve as the beneficiary of the event, as a portion of the proceeds from the game’s ticket sales and fundraising activities will benefit their organization.
The Liberty approached the WNBA about playing in an outdoor venue before the season and considered both Shea and Yankee Stadiums before the team and league ultimately chose the tennis complex. The team will transfer the same court used at MSG to the tennis center. In case of inclement weather, the game will be moved to the Garden the following afternoon.
“It will bring all of us back to our roots, celebrate the enormous growth and interest in the women’s game and provide an opportunity to gain unprecedented exposure for Liberty basketball and the WNBA,” said Carol Blazejowski, president and general manager of the Liberty. “That the game is taking place in a venue named after one of the greatest pioneers in women’s sports makes the event particularly meaningful.”