The Mercury desperately need an x-factor. Down 0–2 to the Aces in the WNBA Finals, the best-of-seven series heads to Phoenix. Luckily for the Mercury, they will be met in The Valley by some 17,000 passionate and raucous bodies eager to help their cause in Game 3. Phoenix isn’t home to an x-factor, but rather, the X-Factor—as the team’s loyal and potent fan base is aptly called.
On Wednesday night, PHX Arena will be filled with supporters and the sounds of a familiar rallying cry. “Miiiiighty Mercury,” a female voice booms out of the loudspeaker. Fans, having committed the lyrics to memory, join in a call and response, belting the Mercury’s infamous fight song. The creator and singer of the team’s rousing chant looms large over Phoenix home games as her jersey sways over the court, having been retired by the franchise in 2002. Jennifer Gillom, who played for the Mercury for six seasons starting in 1997, is the architect behind Phoenix’s endlessly catchy cheer—and she’ll be in the building with the rest of the X-Factor for Act III of the WNBA Finals.
