For years, the WNBA has been fighting for its place in the sports world, demanding the respect, attention, and investment it has always deserved. But something is different in 2024. This isn’t just a league anymore—it’s a cultural shift, a movement, a spectacle that’s finally getting the world to sit up and take notice.
We’ve got packed arenas. Record-breaking TV ratings. College superstars turning into pro icons overnight. And, most importantly, we’ve got players who refuse to settle for anything less than what they’re worth.
This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about power, equity, and the women rewriting the rules of the game.
The New Faces of Basketball Royalty
If you haven’t been keeping up, let’s break it down. The WNBA has always been home to legends—Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird. But this new generation? They’re taking it to another level.
Caitlin Clark stepped onto the court and instantly became a game-changer—not just because of her insane shooting range and record-breaking assists, but because she’s bringing millions of fans with her. Angel Reese, with her unmatched tenacity and unapologetic confidence, isn’t just leading the league in rebounds—she’s dominating the cultural conversation, proving that a Black woman can be loud, stylish, and successful without apology. And then there’s A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP, showing up every game to remind us all why she’s one of the best athletes on the planet.
But what makes these women even more powerful is what they’re doing off the court. They’re demanding better pay, better working conditions, and better respect for the league that has been carrying women’s basketball for decades. And guess what? The world is finally starting to listen.
Numbers Don’t Lie: The WNBA Is a Must-Watch Event
For too long, the excuse for underpaying and underfunding women’s sports was that they didn’t bring in the same audience as the men’s leagues. That narrative is officially dead.
The 2024 WNBA season saw its highest average attendance in 22 years, with nearly 10,000 fans per game. TV networks? They’re scrambling to lock in more coverage as ratings continue to skyrocket. And social media? The WNBA is thriving, with players racking up millions of views on TikTok and Instagram, turning highlights into viral moments and bringing in new fans at an unprecedented rate.
People aren’t just watching women’s basketball now—they’re invested.
The Fight for Pay, Power, and a Seat at the Table
As much as we want to celebrate the league’s rise, the truth is, these players are still fighting for what they deserve.
Right now, a top WNBA player’s supermax contract is $249,244 a year—less than a single game check for an NBA star. The reason? Revenue sharing.
In the NBA, players take home 50% of league revenue. In the WNBA? Just 10%.
That’s why WNBA players aren’t just asking for a raise—they’re demanding their fair share of what they’ve built. The league wouldn’t be breaking records without them, and they know it.
Players have already secured charter flights, a long-overdue upgrade from the commercial travel that left them vulnerable to flight delays, uncomfortable conditions, and even harassment from disgruntled fans. But now, they’re taking on the next battle: a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike, who leads the WNBA Players Association, made it clear:
“Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks—it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come.”
And the players are ready to put pressure on the league. Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese and Dallas Wings’ DiJonai Carrington have already hinted at the possibility of a holdout if their demands aren’t met.
Make no mistake—the power is shifting.
A League on the Verge of Expansion
Investors are paying attention. And when big money gets involved, you know something big is coming.
Detroit, a city with a deep love for basketball, is making a serious push to bring back its WNBA franchise, and the investor list reads like an A-list event. Pistons owner Tom Gores has teamed up with none other than Eminem, along with NFL star Jared Goff, Hall of Famers Grant Hill and Chris Webber, and even General Motors CEO Mary Barra, all working to bring the Detroit Shock back to life.
Meanwhile, San Francisco is set to get its own team under the Golden State Warriors’ ownership, proving that the league isn’t just growing—it’s thriving.
And with cities like Toronto and Nashville eyeing their own teams, we’re looking at the biggest WNBA expansion in years.
The message is clear: women’s basketball is a business opportunity, and investors know it.
Why This Moment Matters
This isn’t just about sports. It’s about representation, respect, and rewriting the narrative around women’s athletics.
For too long, the WNBA was treated like an afterthought. Today, it’s the moment—a powerhouse of talent, cultural influence, and financial potential that nobody can ignore anymore.
The players have done their part. They’ve shown up, dominated, and built a league that is worth watching, investing in, and celebrating. Now, it’s time for the world to catch up.
The question isn’t whether the WNBA will continue to grow. It’s how far it will go.
And at Neon Gurl, we’ll be watching every step of the way.
