The Gender Pay Gap in Sports. WNBA regular season viewership up 49 percent compared to 2020 Why Are WNBA TV Ratings Rising? - Forbes As a UConn fan, why look elsewhere? Ratings: WNBA, Sunday Night Baseball, UCL and more The fact is a lot of men don't want to watch the WNBA because they think it's boring. Since its establishment in 1996, the WNBA league has been operating at an average loss of $10 million a year, with only half of the teams generating profit in 2016. The WNBA recently hired a new president of operations this past February to address the issue at hand. Part of HuffPost News. That was a 74% uptick from 2020's season . Hed reach out as he started to watch more and more womens basketball. Success! Pay disparity between NBA, WNBA is a numbers game Or the character. There are numerous complexities to the new EU directive, but for pro-worker Americans the key point to understand is that the historic new law aims to improve working conditions by increasing minimum wages and dramatically increasing collective []. The WNBA was founded in April of 1996 by David Stern, who was the commissioner of the NBA from 1984 through 2014. All in all, we should commend both the WNBA and the WNBPA for its Big Bet on Women with this new CBA. A few weeks later, she searched up Serranos bookBasketball (And Other Things)to see if there was any mention of women in it. This statistic is not included in your account. In May, when theSparks played at the Connecticut Sun,Rebecca Lobo and Kara Lawson moved away from the typicalbroadcaster seats. Moore also wondered in her essay why the fans that rooted her on at the University of Connecticut didn't follow her to the WNBA. Use Ask Statista Research Service, Regular season attendance WNBA games 2022, Public interest in WNBA in the U.S. 2022, by gender. OhReally? They included the number of women in ownership positions, percentage of women in team president positions, and people of color in assistant coaching positions, which led to the overall grade of A+. Access to this and all other statistics on 80,000 topics from, Show sources information Theyve got a player named Sabrina (Ionescu), a player named Ruthy (Hebard), my two favorite players, and Maite Cazorla.. For the first time, a person identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native has held a manager to senior director position. As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail. WNBA Delivers Most-Watched Regular Season Since 2008 In Historic 25th Freelance Writer/Author of all things LGBT/Sports/Human Interest. The WNBA continues to set an example for inclusive racial and gender hiring practices across all professional leagues. BizPac Review is under attack by progressive Silicon Valley zealots. I've pitched sports stories to female publications before and they are just not interested. Another difference within the organizations has to do with the team rosters. WNBA players work just as hard as their male counterparts, receive a fraction of the attention and get paid far less. Support for Working Mothers. And guys think she's too manly. Demographic Data Shows Which Major Sports Fan Bases - Morning Consult Analysis On Why WNBA Athletes Should Be Paid | ipl.org How female athletes are pushing for a level playing field | CNN Women's Sport WNBA regular season viewership up 16% on 2021 to score 14-year high US women's basketball league live broadcasts average 379,000 viewers on CBS, ABC and ESPN. So far this season, the WNBA has seen a 36 percent increase in viewership in adults age 18 to 49, a 29 percent jump in men in that age group and a 50 percent increase in women. Ratings: WNBA, Racing, Hard Knocks and more - Sports Media Watch He told her she was right. When it comes down to it though, it's not about the product. Last April, she wrote an honest and open essay for The Players' Tribune, called (In)visibility, in which she talks about all the hard work she put in to get to get to where she is today, and how disappointing it is that all that hard work goes relatively unnoticed. The only men's leagues close in comparison to the WNBA were the NBA and MLS, both earning A's this year for racial hiring practices. But those 75 percent make up a small fraction of the population. Maya Moore. The situation is kind of like marketing gourmet ice cream to a group of people who are mostly lactose intolerant. For the last two seasons the Sparks and the Lynx battled it out for the WNBA championship. It was the mostwatched regular season WNBA gameon ESPN2 since 2011. to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1098381/national-basketball-association-interest-gender/, Level of interest in the National Basketball Association in the United States as of May 2022, by gender, Average franchise value in major U.S. sports leagues 2007-2020, Average franchise value of National Basketball Association teams 2001-2022, Total revenue of the National Basketball Association 2001-2022, Teams of the NBA ranked by revenue 2021/22, NBA league & teams sponsorship revenue 2010-2022, Average operating income of National Basketball Association teams 2001-2022, Operating income of National Basketball Association franchises in 2022, NBA Finals TV viewership in the U.S. 2000-2022, NBA Finals TV ratings in the U.S. 2002-2022, Average U.S. TV ratings of NBA Finals 2022, Average viewers of the NBA Finals in the U.S. 2022, Total attendance at National Basketball Association regular season games 2006-2022, NBA regular season home attendance by team 2021/22, Average per game attendance in the NBA from 2005-2022, NBA regular season average home attendance by team 2021/22, Construction costs of NBA stadiums/arenas built since 2000, Federal subsidy to NBA stadiums built since 2002, NBA interest level in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity, National Basketball Association (NBA) interest levels worldwide 2021, NBA number of Facebook fans/Twitter followers 2012-2022, National Basketball Association salary cap 2012-2023, Minimum player salary per year in NBA 2017-2024, Average player expenses of National Basketball Association teams 2001-2022, Player expenses in the NBA by team in 2022, National Basketball Association highest-paid players in salaries & endorsements 2023, National Basketball Association all-time rebounding leaders 1946-2022, National Basketball Association all-time minutes leaders 1946-2022, Regular season attendance WNBA games 2022, NBA interest level in the U.S. 2022, by age, National Basketball Association all-time playoff scoring leaders 1946-2022, NBA lockout - opinions about players and owners, Top 10 most valuable NBA teams - brand value 2012, Opinion poll on which is the greatest NBA team of all time 2016, Beer prices at NBA games by team 20154/16 season, Average ticket price in the NBA by team 2015/16, NBA regular season ticketing revenue as share of total revenue 2010-2022, National Basketball Association: price of a hot dog at games by team 2015/16 season, Opinion poll on who is the greatest NBA player of all time 2016. The WNBA also hosted vaccine clinics across the country to emphasize the importance of vaccination. Number of viewers of the WNBA Finals on ESPN from 2003 to 2022 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. He knows there are others who have covered the game longer and have a great depth of knowledge on it. NBA vs WNBA: Revenue, Salaries, Attendance, Ratings - World Sports Network Back then womens sports on TV were a rarity. September 21, 2022. It's true and also unfortunate. They care about the basketball product. The 2019 NBA Finals averaged a little more than 20 million viewers per game; the 2019 WNBA Finals averaged about 400,000 viewers per game. (@OhReall01615109) April 1, 2021. The WNBA's audience is 75 percent women. Most people do not spend a lot of time watching inferior professional sports leagues. While Engelbert has stated the new franchise is still far away and "on the horizon," Beard's commitment to moving the proposal forward is yet another example of how former WNBA players are committed to the league and the game after retirement. Yet, the harsh reality of being a WNBA "star" is something even she can't ignore. I wrote a column about this, about getting women to care about sports when they simply don't. Maya s Olynyk (@RowdyMaya) April 1, 2021, I mean. Even females who are actually interested in sports balk at the WNBA, including professional sports writers. ESPN is using all of its platforms, not just the TV games, Stiff said, pointing to coverage and player appearances onSportsCenterandGet Up! Women's college basketball gets more televised games than the WNBA, and that's part of the problem. In, ESPN.com, und Sports Media Watch. This is the second time in the history of the WNBA report card that a majority of CEO/presidents are women. The agreement also expanded paid maternity leave, child-care and breastfeeding accommodations. Hours before the game tipped Shea Serrano had the matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx on his mind. Required fields are marked *, Have you ever wondered why it seems like some college athletes look way older than you remember 18 to 22 year olds looking like when you were college age? Get full access to all features within our Business Solutions. WNBA boasts 68% increase in average viewership A roundtable discussion with Benjamin Sachs, Kate Andrias, Steve Kest, and Robert Kuttner. The survey conducted in May 2022 in the United States showed that 63 percent of female respondents had no interest in the NBA. Women's basketball has steadily increased viewership year-over-year. Yet the commercialization of women's sports has not been fully realised. [13] The 2009 regular season on ESPN2 (13 telecasts) concluded with an average of 269,000 viewers, up 8% vs. 2008 season (248,000 viewers). Warriors forward Draymond Green received criticism over a series of tweets he posted where he argued that women athletes are too focused on demanding better wages than they are trying to grow their. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. So then it just becomes a complaint that falls on deaf ears, Green continued. Just because its fair? NBA star calls out female players: I'm really tired of seeing female Biologically, women also process oxygen approximately 30 percent faster than men. How Breanna Stewart's move impacts the Liberty, Storm and the WNBA, WNBA free agency and trade tracker: Latest deals and news, Sparks' Talbot to miss season with torn ACL, Source: Griner back with Mercury on 1-year deal, Taurasi, 40, signs multiyear deal with Mercury, ESPN's Rowe, Spears receive Curt Gowdy award, Happy birthdays to MJ: Jordan's not the only one sharing his birthday with big-name stars, Former Iowa, Storm center Edwards dies at 49, Jefferson leaves Lynx, signs contract with Mercury, 2021 Women's National Basketball Association Racial and Gender Report Card, WNBA players look to expand community support, Ten biggest questions for the WNBA offseason. And so, its coming off as a complaint because the people that can change it, theyre just going to continue to say, Well, the revenue isnt thereso if you dont bring in the revenue, we cant up your pay. Theyre going to keep using that, but the reality is, as true as that is, its an excuse, he added. WNBA players are no exception and are often the leaders of those movements. . WNBA Viewership & Ratings Growth 2021 - Queen Ballers Club Alana Beard, a retired WNBA champion, two-time defensive player of the year and four time All-Star, has been pushing for an expansion team in Oakland. I think were starting to see the tip of the iceberg here.. The number of Black head coaches increased from three in 2020 to five in 2021. The games marquee brand, UConn, had been eliminated. ESPN.com - Page2 - A coming-out party for professional sports Overview and forecasts on trending topics, Industry and market insights and forecasts, Key figures and rankings about companies and products, Consumer and brand insights and preferences in various industries, Detailed information about political and social topics, All key figures about countries and regions, Market forecast and expert KPIs for 600+ segments in 150+ countries, Insights on consumer attitudes and behavior worldwide, Business information on 60m+ public and private companies, Detailed information for 35,000+ online stores and marketplaces. WNBA Finals viewership dips but stays solid as NFL takes a bite: Sports The average age of a baseball viewer is 57, up from 52 in 2006. But yet plastered all over your website is women empowerment. The 20th WNBA season tips off on May 14th. He has been a regular commentator for ESPN.com on issues of diversity in sport. But if women aren't the right audience for women's sports, then who is? A WNBA roster has a maximum of 12 players, whereas an NBA roster has a maximum of 15 players and a minimum of 12. He woke up with a different thought. "I've always envisioned being an owner of a WNBA team," Beard said in October when it was announced she would partner with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group. If every woman in the country tuned into the WNBA, it could stand on its own two feet. And others just say they have no interest, period. "It's so interesting, . It was Oregon. Truth has never been more critical! NBA TV Ratings Continue To Tank | The Daily Caller "Celebrate us for the things that matter -- the stories, the basketball, the character, the fiery competitiveness, our professionalism.". These are the guys who make fun of WNBA players, and then kiss their daughters good night and tell them they can be anything they want to be when they grow up. Why do WNBA players earn 7 times less than their counterparts in the While the above are the main differences in how the game is played between the men and the womens leagues, there are also differences when it comes to crowd sizes, average salaries, and more. May 26, 2022. The NBA & WNBA Wage Gap Explained | Nightingale - Medium The NBA has by far the most racially diverse and left-leaning U.S. fan base of the four top team sports, according to the Brand Intelligence data: 54 percent of fans of the average NBA team are. She tweeted her disappointment. Even with the NBA losing popularity because of its social justice advocacy and other reasons, viewership, and thus cash flow, is still significantly higher in the mens league. 2021 WNBA Season on ESPN/ABC Experiences Exponential Viewership Growth This season included 11 windows on broadcast television (ABC + CBS), the league's most in a season since at least two decades (NBC carried 10 in 2001 and 2002). The two new head coaches in 2021 were: Noelle Quinn of the Seattle Storm and Darius Taylor of the Atlanta Dream. Let's first take a look at the last two WNBA Drafts. The WNBA has a social justice council that focuses on social justice programming and initiatives that include anti-racism training, voter registration and campaigning. The percentage of majority owners and owners with voting power who are women was 33.3 percent in 2021. ", Morning Consult, Level of interest in the National Basketball Association in the United States as of May 2022, by gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1098381/national-basketball-association-interest-gender/ (last visited March 05, 2023), Level of interest in the National Basketball Association in the United States as of May 2022, by gender [Graph], Morning Consult, May 26, 2022. ESPN.com, & Sports Media Watch. Lets take a look at a some of the differences between the two leagues. It's not the right audience, they say. Johnny Buss, center, and the L.A. Sparks took the bold step of promoting the WNBA team at a lesbian bar. We support women empowerment. I mean all women -- straight, gay, married, single, athletic, non-athletic, etc. And as the 20th season nears, its future lingers in the balance. The WNBA, and women's sports in general, need more women to care. "It just made sense to come together to partner on this to bring something special to the community.". This has since been updated and the WNBA now plays four 10-minute quarters and has a 24-second shot clock. PDF THE GLASS CEILING OF SPORTS - Cynopsis Media The TV viewership is a lot smaller in the WNBA with around 280,000 viewers for the 2018 season while the 2019 NBA Finals alone averaged 15.14 million. Support our commitment to credible conservative news. Average NBA viewership rose 19 percent in the 2021-22 regular season across ABC, ESPN and TNT compared to the prior year, the league said Tuesday. For example, according to 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unionized female employees earn 29% more than non-unionized female employees and unionized black employees earn 27% more than non-unionized black employees. Nope. Sky guard Kahleah Copper won the 2021 Finals MVP after averaging 17 points and 5.5 rebounds in the series. . In the extra session, with Kobe Bryant watching from the stands, Notre Dames ArikeOgunbowale hit thegame-winner with one-second left. WNBA on ESPN - Wikipedia All this attention rolled into a WNBA Draft which saw its ratings rise by 25 percent, according to Carol Stiff, vice president ofESPN Programming & Acquisitions. It's a hard task. Did you know? [Online]. Realistically, men have more of an advantage than women considering the fact that mens' muscle mass tends to be more discernible in the upper body, while women often have more of an immense amount in the lower body. With nearly a quarter of women saying they like to watch sport, what are the . It was the most-watched Game 1 of the semifinal round since the current WNBA playoff format began in 2016. As a Premium user you get access to background information and details about the release of this statistic. While I get why they are focusing on inclusion and targeting this particular market, it's also very narrow minded. Brittney Griner. During different parts of the 1980s she was an assistant womens basketball coach atWestern Connecticut State University and Brown University, and the head coach atRensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Unfortunately, though, because of COVID-19s impact on professional sportsincluding the WNBAthe WNBAs 2020 revenue goal could become virtually impossible to meet, which would make 2022 the earliest that WNBPA player-members could pocket a percentage of revenue on par with that of their male NBA counterparts. The Average WNBA Salary, the Highest Paid WNBA Players in 2022, and the This problem could be solved if viewership for the WNBA increased and if longtime NBA fans start showing support for the WNBA as well. The Biden administrationtackles exploitative child labor practices; Railroad reaches agreement on sick days; Supreme Court will look at CFPB funding. Stewart was unable to reap the benefits of free fertility treatment, having frozen her eggs earlier in 2019. And she isn't the only female writer to do so. The gap is even larger for single-gender sports, the report shows. Sep 22, 2022 The 2022 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals were contested between the Las Vegas Aces and the Connecticut Sun. Today's news reinforces that. They will never be fans. Star athletes like Naomi Osaka and Serena. This past fall, the European Union passed a watershed initiative to raise minimum wages and strengthen collective bargaining. Or the professionalism. The average NBA team value is $1.9 billion, a 13% growth over last year. The workplace benefits historically marginalized groups enjoy from unionization are well-documented. There were eight women in CEO/president positions in 2021. The NBA's total revenue in 2017 was about $8.76 billion and $4.3 billion of it went to its players; The WNBA's total revenue in 2017 was about $60 million and $20 million of it went to its . and the WNBA saw its highest draft viewership in 16 . Currently, you are using a shared account. Green then went on to recommend that activists and athletes call out corporations which, according to him, just pay lip service to women empowerment specifically for an alleged failure to put a single penny into the WNBA or towards these women athletes. It is a [], Today, the Supreme Court held that Title VII prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Second, the new CBA also provides that WNBPA player-members who have a dependent child under age 13 living with them during the season will now enjoy both a $5,000 annual stipend and a complementary two-bedroom apartment. Plus, the championship aired around dinner time on Easter Sunday. Now is the time. TheNew York Times best-selling authorand super writer forThe Ringerwasnt covering the game, but he knew the backstory. All sports pay is dictated by the size of the tv deals its hard to get paid a ton if u dont have a huge tv deal. She has to figure out a way to market a product to a core fan base that isn't exactly interested in the actual product. Compared to last year, when NBC did not air any live coverage due to rain, viewership increased 26% from 695,000. The PSA encouraged fans and the public to educate themselves about the COVID-19 vaccine. The WNBA is an American professional women's basketball league established in 1996 and owned by the NBA. The arena football leagues never had a similar following to the NFL. Recognizing that family planning and personal health has been a challenge for many of its players, the WNBA has announced an increase in the benefits related to healthcare and family planning. Enjoy OnLabors fresh takes on the days labor news, right in your inbox. Wait. . WNBA star Candace Parker says it's not about making a salary equal to the men, but ensuring women are given a platform to succeed. And the product isn't televised as much as it needs to be. Minor league baseball doesn't have near the following as MLB.