WNBA Fandom Continues to Rise
Written by Berson Eliancy
Just a little under two weeks ago, New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu shattered the 3 point-shooting contest record to kick off the WNBA star studded All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. Not only did she beat the WNBA record for the competition, but she also topped Steph Curry’s NBA record of 30 points when he lit up the night in Atlanta during the start of the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2021. Curry was one of the stars praising and giving Sabrina Ionescu her flowers after such a legendary performance in the contest.
Ionescu’s performance was truly a special night that carried with it a powerful aura that everybody in attendance seemed to be captivated by. The night was filled with excitement from fans, and stars of both the league’s past and future who have decorated and continue to decorate the league into what it is today.The reaction from fans and stars across both the WNBA and NBA flooded social media platforms across the nation and it truly depicts the increased popularity of the league as it continues to grow and expand.
This year, league viewership is as high as they have ever been. Across ABC, ESPN, CBS, and ESPN2, the WNBA has experienced a 67% increase in fans tuning in to watch their favorite teams and athletes on TV. On average, the league sees just upwards of 550,000 fans tuning in for every game. With all of this momentum, the WNBA is not looking back as it remains on track for this year to be its most watched regular season in more than twenty years.
There is no doubt that the WNBA will continue to grow and become not only one of the most prominent leagues not just women’s sports, but also sports in general. Other great feats include that the league’s partnership revenue has more than doubled in 2023 and so has WNBA league pass subscriptions. League support from NBA players can continued to grow, as well. From social media posts, to sitting courtside at the games, it is very evident that players in the NBA support their sister league and the positive social impact the league has had on young girls all over the world looking to play basketball.