The Rise of Women’s Sports: A Thank You Letter to Basketball
“Don’t let anybody tell you, you can’t do something. You can achieve whatever you want in life.”
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that women’s sports are on the rise. After decades and decades of being put on the back burner, women are finally receiving the attention we fully deserve. Who are we to thank for this increase in awareness? Sure, Serena Williams brought the eyes for women’s tennis, Katie Ledecky to the pool, Simone Biles to the gym, but – women’s basketball was the spark to ignite the fire that is this new generation of women in sports, both on and off the court.
The icon. #22. (AP Photo)
Do you remember where you were when Caitlin Clark broke the record to become the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer during her senior season? Or when her Iowa Blackhawks jersey was recently retired? For many of us, Caitlin has become an icon who captured our interest in women’s college basketball, but her impact goes much deeper than that.
Women have excelled on the court since Sheryl Swoopes signed with the WNBA in 1997 and Lynette Woodward played for the University of Kansas.
The growth of women’s basketball has significantly benefited women's sports as a whole, and it’s hard to ignore the influence it has had. We’ve all heard about the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” right? But what does that really mean? According to an article from ESPN, women’s sports revenue is projected to reach $2.35 billion by 2025. That’s right… BILLION. Let’s talk about it!
LSU’s very own Angel. (Lapresse)
Looking back at 2024, women’s sports achieved an unprecedented milestone by surpassing a billion dollars in revenue for the first time ever. Now, in 2025, there is a projected 25% increase over last year's record. This growth can largely be attributed to the massive fanbase that basketball has built. In a surprising development, basketball is set to overtake soccer as the highest-earning women’s sport—a prediction that would have been hard to believe 5 or 10 years ago.
Soccer was considered the dominant women’s sport for a long time, producing incredible players like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. However, basketball has stepped up, nurturing legendary athletes, and is projected to generate $1 billion in revenue this year alone. The increased interest in women’s college basketball has undoubtedly translated into greater support for the WNBA.
THE Queen = Paige Bueckers (Katie Dugan)
Along with economic growth, the WNBA is also set to expand geographically. Currently consisting of 12 teams, the league aims to increase to 16 franchises by 2028. San Francisco, Toronto, and Portland are among the locations that have committed to new franchises. Additional prospects include Detroit, Nashville, and Cleveland, all bidding to host the new 16th franchise.
A new generation of players… welcome JuJu Watkins (AP Photo)
Now more than ever, young girls are turning on their televisions and seeing numerous women in sports. It's hard to scroll through Instagram without encountering amazing headlines featuring athletes like Paige Bueckers or JuJu Watkins. Women's sports are attracting more viewership than in recent years, effectively shattering what remains of the glass ceiling in athletics. Passionate fans in packed arenas witness women's basketball games, and sold-out tickets have become the new norm. Celebrity sightings and superstar players have become expected elements when watching a game.
A storm is coming… and that storm is Jewell Loyd (The Seattle Times).
What was once a male-dominated sport is now synonymous with numerous incredible female athletes. March Madness is no longer exclusive to men's college basketball, as the NCAA has reported 5 million women's brackets submitted this year. It only seems fitting that we conclude Women's History Month with a heartfelt thank-you letter to basketball.
Thank you, Basketball, for producing record-breaking players. Thank you, Basketball, for teaching so many young girls that they belong in sports. Thank you, Basketball, for defying societal norms. Thank you, Basketball, for all the highs and lows. Thank you, Basketball, for the women.