πŸ“ˆ Nothing but (cutting) net
NCAA women’s basketball tournament sees exponential growth since utilizing the March Madness branding
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This year’s women’s March Madness is expected to outperform the men’s across a variety of metrics, in large part thanks to Sedona Prince’s whistleblowing in 2021 that shed light on the gender disparity between the men’s and women’s tournaments. Here’s how the competition has grown in the years since.
March 18, 2024
πŸ“ˆ Eye on the tiger
NCAA women’s basketball tournaments net record viewership and attendance highs
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The 2023-24 NCAA women’s basketball season was one for the books, and it’s not even over yet. Leading up to March Madness, women’s collegiate conference tournaments shattered records across the board, with the Big Ten and SEC tournaments drawing viewership in the millions.
March 15, 2024
πŸ€ Back in the Headlines
Billionaire Larry Tanenbaum revives efforts to bring WNBA to Toronto
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Canadian billionaire Larry Tanenbaum is reportedly working to bring a WNBA franchise to Toronto after previous efforts stalled last year. Tanenbaum is chairman of the Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) sports group β€” owner of Toronto’s NHL, NBA, and MLS franchises β€” and is hoping to add women’s basketball to his sports portfolio.
March 06, 2024
🀝 Acing Allyship
Ally enters WNBA sponsorship space with extensive Las Vegas Aces partnership
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Financial services company Ally β€” a women’s sports sponsorship heavy-hitter β€” inked a multiyear deal with the two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces yesterday, marking the brand’s first foray into the league.
March 06, 2024
πŸ€ Fever (sales) pitch
Indiana Fever report increase in ticket sales and interest thanks to Caitlin Clark
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The Caitlin Clark Effect. Clarkonomics. The Iowa star’s game-changing influence on college basketball encompasses many terms, but thanks to her declaration for the 2024 WNBA Draft, there’s a new one: Caitlin Clark Fever. Clark is already reshaping the economy for her expected landing place, the Indiana Fever.
March 04, 2024
πŸ“ˆ Growing, growing, gone
Ticket sales for the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament reflect Caitlin Clark Effect
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After a record-breaking women’s March Madness in 2023, the popularity of women’s college basketball β€” and namely aforementioned Iowa star Caitlin Clark β€” keeps on growing, but the NCAA is still playing catch up. The Big Ten women’s basketball tournament officially sold out this weekend, two whole weeks before the event tips off.
February 26, 2024
πŸ€ Missed connection
NBC misses historic opportunity to air Caitlin Clark in order to promote Peacock
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NBC has been enjoying the perks of the Caitlin Clark Effect, but when it came to airing her historic NCAA moment, the network didn’t put the game on linear television β€” a decision that not only cost them a larger audience, but also likely impeded the momentum of Clark’s popularity.
February 21, 2024
βš–οΈ Crossover event
Stephen vs. Sabrina contest illustrates various benefits of NBA–WNBA collaboration
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February 21, 2024
Last Saturday’s Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-point challenge was the first formal competition between an NBA and WNBA player during All-Star Weekend. Seeing the athletes on equal footing proves we’re beyond the β€œBattle of the Sexes” dichotomy β€” fans simply want to see legends of the game compete, something that will help both leagues.
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NWSL season start & NCAA basketball Selection Sunday preview
Ep #349

NWSL season start & NCAA basketball Selection Sunday preview

March 14, 2024

Happy Pi Day!

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz are serving up slices from a stacked sports weekend ahead.

First up, the gals preview what’s bound to be a massive NWSL season before the new campaign kicks off on Friday. From a new media rights deal, to new expansion teams entering the fold, to star players rocking new jerseys, there’s a lot to unpack on the pitch.

Then for part two, El and Steph are hooping it up ahead of Selection Sunday on March 17th. The women’s and men’s March Madness brackets drop on St. Patrick’s Day, but there’s no luck needed here with these two as your guides to the college game.

Thank you to Aflac for supporting today’s podcast! Bounce back from expenses health insurance doesn’t cover with Aflac’s supplemental support. Learn more at Aflac.com.

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πŸ“Ί Shattering expectations
Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story premieres on free streaming service Tubi
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In an effort to peer into the internal workings of the league, Shattered Glass: A WNBPA Story premiered on free streaming service Tubi yesterday. The documentary focuses on three athletes at the top of their game: NY Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, and WNBPA president and current free agent Nneka Ogwumike.
February 02, 2024
πŸ€ A sisterly assist
Athletes Unlimited returns for it third basketball season
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Yesterday, AU released its 2024 roster, which features 29 current and former WNBA athletes, and announced that games will be available for free on the WNBA App for the first time ever.
January 31, 2024
πŸ† Crossover appeal
The Syd + TP Show was selected for the first-ever SLAM Film Festival
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The February event will be the first dedicated exclusively to basketball content, and while most entries are men’s basketball features, the WNBA–focused reality show is riding a months-long hype train.
January 29, 2024
πŸ’° Cashing in her chips
A'ja Wilson will headline Ruffles' Ridgeline Unlocks event at NBA All-Star Weekend
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On yesterday’s episode of The GIST of It, Wilson explained how the activation puts the two pro basketball leagues on equal footing. Savoring every bite.
January 24, 2024
πŸ€ Nothing but net (gains)
The WNBA announces an updated Commissioner's Cup format
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After seeing its best viewership in 21 years β€” and the NBA’s instant audience boost for its inaugural In-Season Tournament β€” the WNBA is ready to revamp its own in-season tourney.
December 20, 2023
πŸ‘Ÿ Number 1s
Sabrina Ionescu reflects on releasing her signature shoe
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NY Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu (pronounced yo-NESS-coo) published a personal essay on Wednesday about her experience releasing the Sabrina 1s, her first Nike shoe and only the 12th signature shoe in WNBA history.
December 15, 2023