The GIST

WNBA postseason viewership hits 25-year high on ESPN networks

The NY Liberty and Minnesota Lynx battled it out on the hardwood in last night’s thrilling Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, but the cherry on top of the women’s hoops cake has been the league’s postseason viewership numbers.

October 11, 2024

Healthcare consortium Kaiser Permanente enters multiyear Golden State Valkyries sponsorship

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The Golden State Valkyries announced a multiyear partnership with Kaiser Permanente (KP) yesterday, making the Oakland-based healthcare organization a founding partner of the expansion WNBA team and furthering the healthcare sponsorship trend in pro women’s sports.

October 04, 2024

WNBA shares historic numbers for the 2024 regular season

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The WNBA season isn’t over yet, but the league’s regular-season wrap report confirms this year may have been the best one yet. On Friday, the W shared viewership, attendance, and sales data that show the league is in the perfect place for expansion.

October 02, 2024

Indiana Fever wrap up historic season with record attendance, viewership driven by Caitlin Clark

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When Caitlin Clark declared for the WNBA Draft, interest in the Indiana Fever — one of the WNBA’s worst teams in 2023 — spiked overnight. Now that Clark has a full season under her belt, the regular-season numbers prove just how much she changed the WNBA — and there’s still more to come in the postseason.

September 23, 2024

Ion posts record viewership numbers and ad sales after explosive WNBA season

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Ion bet early on the WNBA with a media rights partnership, a move that’s paying off more than ever in 2024. The network released historic viewership numbers and advertising sales for the latest WNBA season yesterday that should spur the network to re-sign with the league.

September 20, 2024

Transwestern VP Morgan Bartelstein shares insights on WNBA facility upgrade trend

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Leading U.S. commercial real estate firm Transwestern recently named Morgan Bartelstein as a company VP and a member of its sports and entertainment team. In this new role, she will work on leveling up WNBA franchises by finding top-tier real estate for teams to enhance their operations.

September 16, 2024

Overtime Select shares impressive social growth and engagement numbers in first season

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After tipping off in August with eight corporate sponsors, elite girls’ high school basketball tournament Overtime Select (OT Select) held their championship this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. The month-long tourney hosts America’s best up-and-coming hoopers and is run by popular Gen Z–focused youth sports media brand Overtime.

September 16, 2024

Sports Business

Chase Bank extends Golden State sponsorship to Valkyries in multiyear partnership

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September 06, 2024

On Wednesday, JP Morgan Chase announced its longtime Golden State Warriors sponsorship will also extend to the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries. As the team’s first founding partner, Chase’s multiyear partnership provides the W team with a powerful marketing edge backed by the financial institution

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #405

A WNBA Finals preview

October 10, 2024

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

It’s the final countdown!

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz have your full preview of the 2024 WNBA Finals, featuring the No. 1 NY Liberty vs. No. 2 Minnesota Lynx.

From how both teams reached the championship series to the players to watch to the incredible attendance and viewership numbers throughout the WNBA regular season and playoffs, El and Steph have a slam dunk of a pod in store. Hoop yeah.

A big thank you to our friends at Aflac for powering today’s episode! Just like The GIST tackles the gap in women’s sports coverage, Aflac closes the gap that health insurance leaves behind. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.