Saoirse Downs
Women's basketball is far from over. The sport was first played in 1892 at Smith College in Massachusetts and has since spread globally. While it has historically been underrepresented in media coverage, funding, and pay, women's basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with a surge in popularity in recent years. This is reflected in the growing number of professional leagues and tournaments, such as the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in North America, the English Women's Basketball League in the United Kingdom, and the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup internationally. Women's college basketball has also gained prominence, with increasing viewership and competitive participation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year first played | 1892 |
| Location first played | Smith College, Massachusetts |
| Current popularity | One of the fastest-growing sports in the world |
| Number of professional leagues | Multiple |
| Main North American league | WNBA |
| Other leagues | FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament, Women's English Basketball League |
| Recent milestones | In 2023, the women's NCAA championship game drew more viewers than the men's title game |
| Recent milestones | In 2023, Alyssa Thomas became the first player in league history to record three straight triple doubles |
| Recent milestones | In 2023, Dawn Staley became the head coach of South Carolina, winning three national titles |
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What You'll Learn
Women's basketball is gaining popularity
Women's college basketball has also seen a rise in popularity, with the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament (March Madness) gaining a larger following. The success of top college programs like UConn, Baylor, and Stanford has contributed to this popularity. Talented and charismatic stars, including Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins, and Paige Bueckers, have made the games must-watch television. Clark's record-breaking performances have brought new viewers to the game and increased excitement about women's basketball. Social media platforms have also played a significant role in the growing popularity of the sport, with players and fans engaging, sharing highlights, and building communities around women's basketball.
The growth of women's basketball is also evident in high school and semi-professional leagues. High school basketball is a foundational stage for developing young female athletes, with many players starting their competitive journey and participating in local and state championships. In England, the Women's English Basketball League has steadily grown, reaching thirty national league sides. Division 1 is as close to a professional league as women's sports get in the United Kingdom, with teams bringing in players from the US and Europe.
The increasing popularity of women's basketball highlights the importance of representation and visibility for female athletes. It breaks the cycle of gender inequality in sports and showcases the profitability and popularity of women's sports when given equitable exposure. The success of women's basketball leagues and tournaments worldwide demonstrates that women's basketball is not only gaining popularity but is here to stay.
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The sport's history
Women's basketball has come a long way since its beginnings in 1892 at Smith College in Massachusetts. It was first played just a year after the introduction of men's basketball. Initially, women played in trousers covered by knee-length skirts, which soon evolved into loose-fitting bloomers and stockings, marking a departure from the restrictive attire of the time. The sport quickly spread across the United States through women's college competitions and has since gained global recognition.
High school basketball serves as a foundational platform for nurturing young female athletes, with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) overseeing these competitions in the US. College basketball has been pivotal in the growth of women's basketball, with notable institutions like Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Louisiana Tech, South Carolina, UConn, UCLA, and Texas gaining prominence in the sport.
The women's game continues to gain momentum, with the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game attracting a record-breaking 24 million viewers, outshining its male counterpart. The surge in popularity is evident in the growing audience engagement, inflated ticket prices, and critical acclaim. Despite the financial disparity between men's and women's tournaments, with the former generating substantial revenue, women's basketball is making strides towards greater equality.
At the professional level, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) stands as the premier league in North America, featuring talented athletes and groundbreaking performances. The league is gaining traction, with players like Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury making history. Internationally, the sport is thriving with the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament showcasing the top national teams.
In England, the Women's English Basketball League has experienced steady growth, now boasting thirty national league sides. Division 1, the highest level, features teams like the Rhondda Rebels and Sheffield Hatters, attracting players from the US and Europe. Women's basketball has undeniably come a long way since its inception, and its popularity continues to soar, breaking barriers and captivating audiences worldwide.
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Current leagues and tournaments
Women's basketball is far from over, with multiple leagues and tournaments taking place worldwide. The sport is one of the fastest-growing globally, with a rich history dating back to 1892.
The main North American league is the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The league has seen standout performances, such as that of Alyssa Thomas, who recorded three straight triple-doubles in a dominant win for the Phoenix Mercury.
At the collegiate level, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) organizes women's basketball tournaments across its three divisions. The 2022-23 season, for instance, featured the 41st edition of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, with 68 teams participating. The tournament saw several upsets and record-breaking performances, including Iowa's Caitlin Clark, who set multiple NCAA tournament records. The NCAA also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which outlawed sex discrimination in higher education, during the 2022-23 academic year.
In addition to the NCAA tournaments, the 2023 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Basketball Tournament was held in March 2023, with East Carolina claiming victory and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Outside of North America, the sport continues to thrive with the Women's English Basketball League in England, featuring 30 national league sides. The league has two divisions, with Division 1 attracting players from the US and Europe.
On a global scale, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament feature top national teams from continental championships.
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Pay and endorsements
Women's basketball players have historically been paid significantly lower wages than their male counterparts. For instance, the highest WNBA base salary in 2024 was Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces, who made $252,450. In the NBA, the highest-paid player that year was LeBron James, who earned $47.6 million in the 2023/24 season, in addition to a further $70 million in endorsements. On average, NBA players took home more than $10 million in 2023/24, while WNBA players earned roughly $116,000 in 2023. WNBA players only receive around 10% of their team's revenue, compared to 50% for NBA players.
However, there are signs that the tide may be turning for female athletes in the endorsement deal market, which could have significant implications for the future funding of women's collegiate sports. For example, Nike's NIL deal with NCAA college and high school players, led by Bronny James, has shown the rising role of female athletes in the era of endorsement deals. Caitlin Clark, the all-time leading scorer in college basketball, was the first overall draft pick by the Indiana Fever in 2024. She has become one of the most popular and recognizable athletes in American sports, helping the WNBA log its most-watched regular season ever in 2024. Clark has sponsorship deals with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Hy-Vee, Xfinity, Gainbridge, Lilly, and Panini, with Nike being her most valuable endorsement deal. In April 2024, Nike signed an eight-year agreement with Clark worth more than $3 million per year on average. Clark's total earnings from endorsement deals in 2024 were $11 million, with her WNBA salary making up only 1% of her total earnings.
Other female basketball players are also making significant strides in endorsements. Candace Parker, a two-time NCAA champion, has brand partnerships with Adidas, CarMax, and Gatorade, and her annual off-the-court pay is more than double her total playing salary across her 15 years in the WNBA. She also has a lucrative contract as an NBA analyst for Turner Sports.
While the pay gap between men's and women's basketball remains stark, the success of female athletes in securing endorsement deals is a positive step towards closing this gap and achieving greater equity in sports.
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Media coverage
Despite these advancements, the media coverage of women's basketball still faces challenges. There is still a disparity in coverage compared to men's basketball, with many advocating for greater equity in airtime, resources, and respect. The media's portrayal of women's basketball profoundly impacts how the sport is perceived by the public and how female athletes are viewed within the broader sports landscape. It is imperative for media outlets to recognize the value and potential of women's basketball and provide coverage that reflects its significance.
Social media has played a significant role in changing the landscape of women's basketball coverage. Players and fans can use social media to challenge stereotypes and highlight achievements that may be overlooked by mainstream media. They can share game highlights, records, and milestones and advocate for issues such as pay equity and respect for female athletes. However, some people believe that social media has not created authentic support that will carry over to the professional level.
The media can improve the popularity of women's basketball by stopping the comparison between women's and men's sports and adding context about their differences. Additionally, employing more women in women's sports coverage is essential as they can relate to the discrimination female athletes face.
Overall, media coverage of women's basketball is improving, but there is still work to be done to achieve equity and properly recognize the value of the sport and its athletes.
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Frequently asked questions
No, women's basketball is not over. In fact, it is the No. 1 women's sport in the country and is growing in popularity.
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is the main North American league. The Women's English Basketball League is another semi-professional and amateur league in England. Other popular tournaments include the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament, and the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship.
There are several factors contributing to the rise in popularity of women's basketball. One reason is the presence of exciting and dominant players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Alyssa Thomas, who have brought new fans to the sport. Social media and increased media coverage, such as ESPN's push on the WNBA, have also played a role in generating more interest in the sport. Additionally, there has been a growing push for gender equality and diversity in sports, challenging the historical gender inequality and lack of equitable coverage for women's athletics.
While women's basketball is gaining momentum, men's basketball still attracts larger fan bases and generates more revenue. In 2023, women's sports only accounted for 15% of national coverage. However, there are positive signs of change, such as the 2023 NCAA Women's Championship game drawing more viewers than the men's title game. The perception that men's basketball is more important due to its higher income and fan engagement persists, but the recent popularity of women's basketball indicates a potential shift in this dynamic.
