• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 12, 2025

WNBA’s 25th Season Highlights Rising Investment in Women’s Sports

Atlanta Dream/Design: Alex Brooks

Roughly 4% of sports coverage is dedicated to women’s sports, but Bleacher Report found that 84% of sports fans are interested in them. A recent report from Deloitte expects TV and sponsorship revenue for women’s sports to soon eclipse $1 billion globally.

“We saw the numbers and thought, why wouldn’t we invest in this?” Ann Lutzenkirchen, senior producer of Turner Sports/Bleacher Report told Front Office Sports.

Turner — which includes WNBA champion Candace Parker among its talent — will broadcast a weekly show with Atlanta Dream owner Renee Montgomery on NBA TV and collaborate with Nike on merch celebrating the season. In Nike’s final earnings report of 2020, the company said its women’s category was growing faster than the its overall business.

Media investments in women’s sports are on the rise.

  • Amazon just secured exclusive global streaming rights to 16 WNBA games each season in a multiyear deal, strengthening Prime Video’s push into live sports.
  • ESPN and the WNBA are releasing an ESPN Films and “30 for 30” documentary about the WNBA’s 2020 season, executive produced by L.A. Sparks player Chiney Ogwumike.
  • Kevin Durant recently backed a $3.5 million funding round for multimedia company Just Women’s Sports.
  • Olympians Sue Bird, Alex Morgan, Simone Manuel, and Chloe Kim launched women-focused media and e-commerce destination TOGETHXR in March.

The 2021 WNBA season officially tips off with four games Friday, starting with Indiana Fever at New York Liberty. Last year’s No. 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu — who has a Nike deal of her own — is expected to return for NY after missing most of her rookie season with an ankle injury.

Average viewership of WNBA games was up 68 percent in 2020 thanks in part to more broadcasts across ESPN, CBS, Twitter, and Facebook.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NC State women's cross country
breaking

Trump Education Department Pulls Biden’s NIL Pay Equity Rule

The Biden administration had issued the guidance in its final days.

Caitlin Clark Raves About Indiana Fever’s Offseason Moves

DeWanna Bonner said she came to Indiana to “win another championship.”
Caitlin Clark

Ailing Nike Taps Caitlin Clark, Women’s Stars for First Super Bowl Ad..

The 60-second ad includes Clark, Wilson, Ionescu, Chiles, Richardson, and Sabalenka.

NWSL Commish: Our Teams Can Be ‘As Valuable As an NFL Team’

Jessica Berman called her clubs an “undervalued asset class.”

Featured Today

Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) and linebacker Josh Sweat (19) tackle Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Super Bowl Set Viewership Record at 127.7M, Hints at Fox Streaming Future

The historic figure improves by 3% from last year’s game.
February 11, 2025

How Did Kanye West’s Super Bowl Ad for Swastika Merch Make it..

The site was taken down Tuesday morning.
Kendrick Lamar
February 11, 2025

Kendrick Lamar’s Attack on Drake Peaks With Most-Watched Super Bowl Halftime Ever

A record 133.5 million viewers tuned in for Lamar’s performance.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
ESPN, Top Rank Boxing
February 11, 2025

ESPN Parting Ways With Top Rank Boxing After Eight Years

The boxing business has been in a state of flux for several years.
Rory & Mal, The Volume
February 11, 2025

Colin Cowherd’s Volume Adds Rory & Mal Podcast in Entertainment Push

It is the second new podcast The Volume has added this year.
February 10, 2025

Super Bowl LIX Defies Trends, Sets U.S. TV Viewership Record

The Eagles’ emphatic title win makes U.S. television history.
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) looks to pass the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.
February 10, 2025

NFL’s Aggressive Flex Scheduling Expected to Reshape 2025 Lineup

Next season’s schedule could include more flexible windows.