The GIST

Caitlin Clark’s injury underscores potential issues WNBA’s new star-powered era

This week, WNBA fans are learning about the downsides of the Caitlin Clark Effect as the Indiana Fever superstar is sitting out for at least two weeks with a quadriceps strain. It’s the first time Clark has missed any time during her collegiate or pro career, leaving fans and venues in the lurch.

May 28, 2025

WNBA’s opening weekend draws impressive viewership and generates bigger brand exposure

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This weekend, the WNBA season tipped off on several networks, and the results are in: Interest in the league is widespread across teams and platforms, illustrating how everyone should harness the WNBA’s popularity however they can.

May 21, 2025

WNBA enjoys record numbers of sponsors as new, old brands join the league

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The 29th WNBA season tipped off last Friday with a record 45 official sponsors, including 10 brands that signed on during the past year, according to Sports Business Journal (SBJ). Let’s dive into why these old and new brands are recognizing the potential for brand amplification in the W.

May 19, 2025

WNBA and CarMax benefit from free early-season content offerings

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Yesterday, the WNBA announced that partner CarMax activated its Tip-Off Test Drive promotion once again, meaning fans can catch the beginning of the season on WNBA League Pass for free. Sponsoring exclusive, free content is a fantastic way to rev up positive brand association, which is especially key in a space where consumers reward their favorite sponsors.

May 16, 2025

Sports Innovation Lab shares data insights on WNBA fans

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With the WNBA season tipping off tomorrow, we’re seeing an increase in aspirational companies choosing to partner with the W. And according to the latest data insights from Sports Innovation Lab (SIL), there’s a reason why brands like Fenty Beauty are choosing the WNBA, especially teams like the NY Liberty and Golden State Valkyries.

May 16, 2025

Fenty Beauty enters NY Liberty sponsorship as celeb entrepreneurs turn to women’s sports

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On Wednesday, the NY Liberty announced a partnership with Rihanna’s billion-dollar Fenty Beauty empire. The collab is the latest example of a popular, celeb-driven brand carefully curating its sports sponsorships, namely by working with teams and athletes that have prestige and influence.

May 09, 2025

StubHub shares latest ticket data as WNBA interest surges in 2025

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WNBA ticket demand is at an all-time high: This year’s All-Star Game sold out within a day, and according to ticket sales platform StubHub, the W is much more popular this season. At a time when the industry needs to know where W fans are showing up, here’s more insight from StubHub’s data as we approach May 16th’s season tipoff.

May 02, 2025

Sports Business

The WNBA announces historic preseason expansion as fan, sponsor interest rises

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April 30, 2025

Yesterday, the WNBA made history (again) by announcing that all games in its expanded preseason slate will be broadcast or streamed this year. The move comes as the W continues to monetize its product, and with this whole new chunk of games, brands can reach WNBA superfans like never before.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #462

Unpacking the WNBA CBA negotiations

May 27, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

It’s time to negotiate.

The WNBA season is in full swing, but there’s an even spicier battle brewing off the court. The WNBPA (aka, the WNBA players union) is currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the league to outline the rules that govern the WNBA. In this episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz establish the timeline leading up to this pivotal moment for the WNBA, as well as explore what the players are asking for — and how the league may make their wishes come true. A slam dunk.

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