I managed to score in the end, which was, I suppose, satisfying.
Now, I’m not really into sports, but I was surprisingly eager to catch the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center last Friday.
However, I wasn’t there to cheer for the Nets, especially considering their tough season, 19-59. That’s rough.
No, I was part of a unique crowd—single New Yorkers seeking love through “In the Wild,” an in-person dating event created by Lexi Young, who appeared on season 28 of “The Bachelor.” This was New York’s first pre-game event aimed at connecting local daters in real life.
Young, back in Atlanta after her Bachelor stint, initiated “In the Wild” in 2024 after trying Hinge again, only to feel, well, it wasn’t really for her.
“This can’t be the only way to meet someone,” she told the Post. I mean, she’s right, isn’t she?
She went viral on TikTok, inviting Atlanta singles to a large event. Young was surprised to see over 1,000 people show up—imagine the line wrapping around the block! It’s like she found a hidden gem.
In just a year and a half, “In the Wild” has hosted nearly 100 events, focusing on moving people away from apps and into the outdoors, all in the name of love. They’ve expanded to Atlanta, New York City, and Nashville.
Young proudly noted that over 200 couples have found relationships through her efforts, and some have even gotten engaged. That’s something to celebrate.
Her team is particularly keen on blending dating with sports, viewing events like the Nets game as prime opportunities for singles to connect over shared interests. She’s in discussions with NFL and soccer teams to explore similar collaborations.
“It’s often tough to achieve an equal ratio of men and women at other singles events,” she explained. “Sporting events tend to attract more men.”
When my friends and I hit the Brooklyn complex for the mixer aimed at those aged 25 to 35, we were eager to see what it had to offer. Past singles events had left us wanting, especially with the number of men being a little disappointing.
And trust me, I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.
At this event, attendees engaged in a “Love in the Lane” bingo card, which included prompts like “I have attended a Nets game alone” and “I have been ghosted.” Fun, right?
Zoe Maher, a 26-year-old communications pro, echoed my previous experiences with dating events. She and a friend paid $60 each for tickets to “Love in the Lane,” feeling optimistic, especially being from Georgia and seeing the Nets vs. Hawks match-up.
“With the free drinks and the game theme, it seemed promising,” she mused.
The events come with a pre-vetting process. Men need approval from women for a “higher quality” experience, and everyone completes a compatibility survey beforehand, which adds a touch of fun at the end when they see if they match with the person they spent time with.
Initially, it seemed like Maher’s and my hopes were going to be dashed again, as there wasn’t a strong male presence and even fewer we found attractive.
But then, amidst interactions and filling out those bingo cards, I started chatting with a couple of guys. One of them, a 32-year-old veterinary clinic receptionist named Ethan Hutchins, quickly turned into my date for the evening. Unexpected but nice.
As our conversation flowed, I felt something shift, a connection forming. So when a member from the Nets’ PR team offered us special seats near the game, we jumped at the chance.
If you’d told me Ethan would pop up on the Jumbotron’s “Kiss Cam,” I might not have believed it—yet it happened!
The game itself—a loss, 141-107 to the Hawks—wasn’t particularly thrilling for someone like me, who’s not into basketball, but I found a new appreciation for how passion for the game can forge connections among people, including those dating.
“We’re trying to find ways to connect singles already attending these big sporting events and offer pathways for them to meet up,” Young stated. “It’s a nice synergy; these singles want to meet others too.”
Even though I initially lost track of Maher amidst the excitement of the night, Ethan and I smoothly transitioned our connection into a real-life date the day after.
We’re even planning to meet again this weekend. Who knows what will unfold for us down the line—maybe a slam dunk or an unexpected miss?
