Women Crushed Wednesday - WNBA

Sports, professional sports in particular, is a field dominated by males. They get the most viewers, make the most money, and sell the most merchandise. I imagine if you were to ask 100 random people to name 4 WNBA teams, about 80% would not be able to. However, those same 80% would most likely be able to name at least 10 NBA teams. Why there is such a difference, I do not know. The one big thing I could think of would be advertisement and accessibility to viewers. On almost any given night during the NBA season, you can tune in somewhere to watch an NBA game or two. The same can not be said for the WNBA. However, that may soon be changing.

According to the New York Times, the WNBA has signed an agreement to live stream 20 WNBA games throughout the season on Twitter, for the next 3 seasons. This is in addition to the 16 games that ESPN already broadcasts. 

With a growing number of people getting rid of cable, and the recent struggles of ESPN, this could prove to be a very lucrative deal for the WNBA, and not just in terms of financial gain. While not the behemoth that the NBA is, the WNBA is still high quality, enjoyable basketball at the highest level. Add to that the influx of legitimate stars the WNBA has seen in recent years (Griner, Delle Donne, Stewart, etc.), and you have a recipe for success. 

There seems to be a trend these days where those in the sports world are experimenting with new ways to attract more viewers. For example, football games are now being played in London and Mexico City, and may also be played in Toronto in the future. NFL had been available to watch on Yahoo!, and has since moved on to Amazon Prime. The way sports are being experienced is changing, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. The WNBA has just established themselves as a league who is willing to try new things to do what it takes to bring in the casual fan, as well as maintain its current fan base. Will Twitter be the way they do that? Time will tell. But, one thing is certain, they are moving in the right direction.

The WNBA doesn't always get the recognition or respect they deserve, but it is not for lack of quality. While people are enamored with dunking and the speedy male style of basketball, it's refreshing to watch good defense, and the WNBA can provide just that. Every woman currently on a roster, and those that came before them, are true professionals. There will, without a doubt, be a much larger following for the WNBA, and we are watching the beginning of big things to come. That is why the WNBA is this week's Women Crushed Wednesday!