The Greatest Moments in WNBA History

By S. Lawrence Bueno

The WNBA is the Women’s National Basketball Association, but unlike the NBA, it struggles to achieve relevance and recognition.
 
Here are some memorable events in WNBA history:
 
“We Got Next”
The WNBA has attempted a few different marketing campaigns, the first being "We Got Next," - a remarkable depiction of boldness and indisputable feminine representation. The campaign began in 1996, building up to the season's debut.
In the commercial, Olympic athletes, Leslie, Swoopes, and Lobo went through a tunnel and into light with vigor. They didn't smile. This foreshadowed the powerful women who would go on to form the United States' longest-running women's league in basketball history.
 
WNBA is one of the most progressive organizations in professional sport.
An article released by ESPN shows that the WNBA beats the record for the most racial and gender hiring practices.
It is beautiful to see that, while living in a world of injustice, the WNBA fights for further representation within its community.
It also fights towards mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, COVID-19 vaccine accessibility and other aspects surrounding diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm's head coach, wearing a BLM t-shirt.

​It is also important to note that the WNBA’s target audience is teenage girls who play basketball, along with their families. The organization offers games and events at lower costs than the NBA and many other professional sports leagues, which reinforces inclusion.
 
The WNBA faces tough challenges regarding visibility. Very few people pay attention to women’s sports.
 
The NBA viewership is immeasurably higher than the WNBA’s viewership.
On Instagram, the NBA has 64.7 million followers, while the WNBA has 1.2 million followers.
 
Why are men’s sports more valued than women’s sports?

​Let’s break these traditional gender roles and give more visibility to women in sport! It is unfair that women don’t get as much attention and opportunities as men in sport.
 
Let’s support these amazing women who had to work extremely hard to get to where they are today.
So, if you get the chance to, watch a few WNBA games! I can assure you it’ll be worth it.
Let’s make sports better for everyone.