Once an idealistic debate about respect has become an honest conversation concerning fairness and value.
2024 WNBA All Star Game
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 20: Arike Ogunbowale #24 celebrates a three-point basket with Caitlin Clark #22 and Allisha Gray #15 of Team WNBA in the second half against Team USA during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center on July 20, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. Team WNBA beat Team USA 117-109. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
By Jade Lopez, CRDN
Friday, August 27, 2024
Over the past few years, women’s professional basketball has secured itself as an influential and rapidly advancing division of the sports industry. With millions of fans and increased media attention, the WNBA has experienced a significant rise in popularity through emerging star players, social platforms, and a cultural movement supporting women’s sports.
As major news networks are now dedicating heightened airtime to women’s professional basketball, the increased visibility has attracted a wide range of viewers, with the focus on popular plays such as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and A’ja Wilson.
Social media has made a substantial impact on the sport by fostering engagement, allowing the athletes to connect with their followers directly, sharing exciting posts and game highlights, and giving fans personal insight into their daily lives, thereby creating a devoted fan base that has followed them through their college journey, the WNBA draft, and are now dedicated and loyal fans. Social media has also been instrumental in the WNBA’s advocacy efforts. Players utilizing their platforms to spread awareness on social justice issues and discussions surrounding equality have a significant impact on more vulnerable communities.
There is a cultural movement that goes along with supporting women in sports. The increase in brand deals and corporate sponsorships directly reflects the market potential of professional female athletes. Electrifying players such as Caitlin Clark, have single-handedly accumulated an annual NIL value of over three million dollars. The direct correlation between her games and an astounding increase in ticket sales and revenue has drastically aided in the proper investments for the WNBA. As interest in women’s sports continues to grow, so has the quality. Strong financial backing has alluded to better equipment, increased player salaries, and upgraded facilities, elevating the status of women’s leagues.
The WNBA prides itself on a culture of representation, ability, and confidence in female athletes. By celebrating a wide array of bodies and talents of its players, the sport encourages younger viewers to accept and love themselves for how they are, fostering a strong sense of belonging and self-worth. As adolescents, we find ourselves hoping to be represented through our role models. This means straying away from conventional beauty standards and false narratives, to finding something that showcases all shapes, sizes, and colors. The WNBA shows viewers that athleticism comes in all types of physical characteristics. The focus on ability vs appearance shows that hard work and determination are what persevere.
Success in worldwide events such as the Olympics has generated global attention, inspiring millions of young girls from across the globe, to watch their idols play and take home the gold. The increased visibility of women in sports challenges stereotypes and promotes gender equality in athletics. Young girls see themselves represented in a professional sense, encouraging them to pursue their dreams of becoming big-name athletes without any limitations. Given these progressions, the future of women’s professional basketball appears to be promising and bright.