Historically male-dominated hoops spaces are becoming more women-forward

The GIST: You already know that women’s basketball is booming — according to a recent report from Global Sports Properties, the WNBA saw a 322% increase in global online searches last year. However, the sport’s impact extends beyond the pro court: The male-dominated spaces long associated with hoops are becoming more women-forward…and it’s about time.

The collectibles space: According to eBay, WNBA searches rose 480% YoY while 2024 jersey sales on the platform increased 170% YoY. And while the collectibles space has long been dominated by male consumers, with an increased demand for WNBA memorabilia, the W’s more balanced demographic split could help create a niche community for women collectors.

• As the W’s popularity skyrockets and new fans enter the fold, women’s basketball icon Sue Bird points to collectibles — like those featured in her Dream Draft with eBay — as a way to bridge the gap between the league’s storied history and its promising future.

• In an exclusive interview with The GIST on Friday, Bird highlighted the community building the collectibles space can offer women: “This is a way to stay up on the sport, but also feel the emotion and the connectedness that it brings.”

The outdoor sport space: One of the easiest ways for fans to access basketball is with public outdoor courts, making one of the W’s newest initiatives all the more important. Line ‘Em Up’s mission is to paint the WNBA three-point line on outdoor courts across America with the intention of creating an explicit space for women in the sport’s most accessible arena.

• Girls high school basketball enrollment has dropped nearly 20% over the last two decades. One key factor in increasing participation? Community, meaning creating these spaces is integral to the growth of the game at the grassroots level.

The takeaway: Backing the WNBA is always a win, but so is investing in the spaces where women and girls can explore and expand their basketball fandom. Creating spaces and a sense of belonging, especially through community and access, is a major driver of women’s participation and general involvement in sport. Hoop, there it is.