By: Scarlet Rome ’28, Sports Staff Writer  

New York Liberty celebrated their first-ever championship win. (Courtesy of NBC News) 

On October 24, 2024, many streets in NYC were closed for one reason: The New York Liberty parade. After any big championship win, the victorious team holds a massive celebration parade. The streets were packed with people trying to inch close to the players. With a massive rise in popularity and viewership, the WNBA has grown in importance for many sports fans, whether fans follow women’s basketball or not.

Until recently, athletes had been troubled by lower salaries than male players, not gaining the fans or coverage the league assumed, and finally being controversial in society. There have been many controversial WNBA moments that have stood out. For example, a few years ago, before police violence against African Americans became a major topic in the news, many well-known WNBA players such as Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen were proactive by wearing t-shirts with slogans and names on them in 2016. The shirts said “Change starts with us” and the words “Justice and Accountability” were written on the bottom in small letters. Fast-forward to 2020 during the height of Covid, when the LA Sparks marketed directly to the LGBTQ+ becoming the first sports team in any league to do so. This was problematic in the media because at first glance it gave it a bad look, but people soon realized that standing up for themselves was the right thing to do to protect their rights.

Since 1996,WNBA athletes have been paid considerably less than their male counterparts. The issue of pay rate has been unfair for a long time, even outside of sports as well. In our world going back to the early 1900’s, women getting treated differently has always been prominent. From women getting jobs to not being able to vote, women were always targeted. That is why it has been more meaningful that they now have their own sports league. Recently, coaches, team managers, and more people in power have noticed this unfair pay and have spoken up for their players. WNBA salaries have increased an outstanding 94% in the last 5 years. 

Especially in the league’s early years, no one wanted to watch women’s basketball. Many NBA fans were little boys looking up to their role models, but the WNBA didn’t have this fan base. When the league started, it was not popular for women to engage in basketball, especially professionally, so the act of not having women’s interest was a setback as well. As basketball became more popular with women, this changed. Now besides little boys, there are also many little girls playing the sport who idolize these female athletes. You will see a larger number of fans in attendance and watching through the media due to the women’s sports fan base expanding. This year the WNBA had its most-viewed season in 21 years, while also getting 46.7 million new fans. 

 Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty’s most well-known player, is helping the WNBA reach its goal of rising in popularity and media time. She has burst on the scene in only four short years and has outstanding marketability and mainstream appeal. Having a player with actions like this is a significant sign of the times throughout the league, meaning it shows the trends in the culture of our period. The WNBA finally has the star power and name recognition that women’s sports generally lack. The exciting brand of basketball, All-Star caliber players, and TV recognition have all greatly contributed to the WNBA’s rise in popularity and prominence.

In our school especially, girls’ sports are popular and loved. NA has always supported and celebrated all of their girls’ sports teams. For every boys’ team at NA, there is a girl; one. The NA girls’ basketball team has been particularly successful. Last year their coach accomplished 250 wins with the team, had 2 players reach 1000 career points, and won the championship. This proves that even as teenagers, girls in sports make a big impact.  

All in all, given the success of the star players entering the league, women’s professional basketball is finally getting the recognition they deserve and getting closer to financial parity.