The GIST

WNBA responds to record 2024 viewership with 2025 television schedule

During its record-breaking 2024 season, the WNBA saw a massive viewership jump across networks — especially when Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark graced the screen. And based on its 2025 regular-season schedule unveiled last week, the W is doubling down on 2024’s wins with increased broadcast exposure, giving an easy assist to its partners.

March 24, 2025

TNT proposes rotating Unrivaled schedule despite purpose-built Miami facility

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Unrivaled enjoyed a strong debut in its inaugural season, but some are concerned the novelty has worn off. With the exception of its 1v1 tournament, league viewership has petered off since January, with TNT Sports execs telling the Sports Business Journal’s Mollie Cahillane they believe the league should consider touring to reach new markets.

March 14, 2025

WNBA athletes would consider sitting out 2026 season if CBA requirements aren’t met

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Last Friday, WNBA stars Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington spoke on Reese’s Unapologetically Angel podcast about upcoming CBA negotiations. According to them, the sentiment around the league is that if players don’t get certain table stakes, they’re ready to walk.

March 10, 2025

Indiana Fever hopes to become legacy brand with help from Caitlin Clark

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With Caitlin Clark at the helm, the Indiana Fever is seeing marketing opportunities like never before, so the team wants to capitalize to build a legacy brand. Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf has said she envisions the team as an “enduring brand like Apple.”

March 07, 2025

Unrivaled signs landmark deal with OneTeam for WNBPA player licensing rights

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Yesterday, OneTeam Partners — an agency that represents several pro athlete unions — announced a transformative partnership with 3v3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled and the WNBPA. Through the agreement, Unrivaled now owns group licensing rights for WNBPA athletes, meaning that the league (and its players) can finally capitalize on NIL–driven products and branding.

February 28, 2025

Kevin Hart’s entertainment company partners with Indiana Pacers and Fever in WNBA–driven collaboration

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Hartbeat — the new multichannel entertainment company founded by comedian Kevin Hart — is diving deep into the basketball world with a WNBA–driven partnership. Yesterday, Hartbeat announced its partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) to serve as its official “cultural curator” to merge sport, entertainment, and culture in Indiana and beyond.

February 28, 2025

Lagging NBA ratings could benefit from winning women’s basketball strategies

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It’s no secret that the NBA has been losing viewership in recent years, something the league has often sought to address with creative and successful solutions inspired by women’s basketball. These learnings could lead to increased collaboration between men’s and women’s hoops, including a shift in how the men’s game interacts with the women’s.

February 21, 2025

Sports Business

Unrivaled capitalizes on underutilized 1v1 format through in-season tournament

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February 10, 2025

Unrivaled is leaning into its name with its inaugural 1v1 tournament, an uncommon format in pro basketball leagues like the WNBA and NBA. Although the idea of an in-season tournament and a casual 1v1 knockout tourney isn’t new, capitalizing on both concepts in a professional league is.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #445

How improving amenities are changing the look of the WNBA

March 25, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

How improving amenities are changing the look of the WNBA

Let’s get down to business.

With the 2025 WNBA season fast approaching, this episode of The GIST of It takes a peek behind the curtain, as co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz explore how improving amenities are changing the look of the league from the inside out. From the Unrivaled effect to the importance of facilities during free agency, one thing is clear: The WNBA’s pro hoopers want to be treated as such, and improved facilities are a major way to draw in the league’s top talent.

And in part two, Karina LeBlanc, the Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth Development at RAJ Sports, joins the gals, speaking to the state-of-the-art facilities being built for the WNBA’s new Portland team and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns. Don’t miss this.

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