August 22, 2024
Locked On Women’s Basketball: WNBA is gaining momentum
By The Next
How will the league sustain its unprecedented growth?
On Thursday’s episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, Howard Megdal and Talia Goodman discuss the rise in women’s basketball popularity, how to maintain the momentum and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark‘s impact in it all. Howard shares his experiences as a veteran women’s basketball reporter and describes the importance of learning the history of the game to better understand the sport’s current moment.
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Historically, integrating college success into the WNBA was difficult due to limited resources and TV exposure. Recent efforts, such as advertising the WNBA during NCAA tournament games, aim to bridge this gap. As Howard notes, “the WNBA didn’t always have the capital” for such promotions.
Howard describes how Caitlin Clark’s impact on women’s basketball exemplifies a bridging of gaps between the NCAA and WNBA. Her standout college career at Iowa gained considerable attention during her junior and senior years. The success and popularity is now translating into professional success in the WNBA. Her influence underscores a broader trend where individual talent, supported by an intentional media ecosystem, drives the sport forward.
The rise of players like Clark reflects a positive shift in the sport’s visibility and support. Viewership for women’s basketball has increased, with even non-Clark games showing a 35% year-over-year rise. This growth indicates a promising future for women’s basketball, driven by both emerging stars and changes that enhance the sport’s overall profile. Don’t miss this episode!
Make sure to subscribe to the Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast to keep learning about the WNBA, women’s college basketball, basketball history and much more!
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Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.
