Written by Janelle Boatwright. Published: July 22 2025
It’s 2025,
and the ladies are showing out in the best way possible. We all
know a lady who is absolutely owning it, but just in case you need
proof, here are four letters that do just that: WNBA. There’s no
denying the new heights reached by women. Between record-breaking
viewership, growing media coverage, and the phenomenal performances
by women on the court, women are doing it all. We are undoubtedly
witnessing WNBA history, and that deserves a celebration. Hey
Alexa! “Play Run The World (Girls)” by Beyoncé!
Viewership
When it comes
to the impeccable growth of the most recent two WNBA seasons, the
numbers speak loud enough for themselves. Matter of fact, the
numbers are screaming. In the 2024 season, viewership averaged 1.19
million viewers per game across ESPN platforms, according to the
WNBA’s website. This includes nationally
televised WNBA games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and even streaming
services like ESPN+. 1.19 million per game is the highest the
league has ever seen — a drastic change from the 2023 season. But
that’s not all — when we zoom out, the numbers get even larger.
For the entire season, over 54 million people were tuned in across
multiple platforms and networks. And to make things even better, 7
of the most-watched WNBA games ever were from the 2024 season, as
also reported by the WNBA website. To top it all off, the success
is pouring into the current 2025 season. Without the season being
completed, history is still being made. The 2025 New York Liberty
vs. Indiana Fever match soared to the top of the third-most-watched
WNBA game with over 2 million on ABC. Whew! Women are
powerful, and there is power in numbers. Many of us can’t even
imagine being in a space with millions of people. Nonetheless, this
is the impact of women in sports.
Key
Players
Numbers
wouldn’t be possible without star players. It’s only right that we
give our flowers to the women who are balling down in the paint.
One of the players who has made their mark on women’s basketball as
a whole in recent years is Caitlyn Clark. Before
joining the WNBA in 2024, Caitlyn was (and still is) a force to be
reckoned with. A star player on the Iowa Hawkeyes, her 3-point
shots standing out, and her high-scoring points-per-game show her
inner beast can’t be tamed. Caitlyn led the Hawkeyes to the Final
Four for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024). After her college
career ended in 2024, Caitlyn was drafted to the WNBA’s Indiana
Fever, where she continues to leave a valuable impression on fans
of the sport. She has even earned the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award
for her 2024 performance. When mentioning women’s basketball,
Caitlyn is a must.
Coming out of
the same draft class as Caitlyn is the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball
National Champion, Chicago Sky baller Angel Reese.
Reese is a powerhouse, and she’s that girl whether it be on or off
the court. Before joining the WNBA, Angel was a star player on the
Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers. Recognized for her
double-double combos, specifically in points and rebounds, Angel
was crowned Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four in 2023. In
2024, Angel was drafted to the Chicago Sky, where she continues to
put up numbers and make headlines. Angel also brings a confidence
level to the game that is through the roof. Her self-expression and
style make her a fan favorite.
2025 draft
picks are also representing well for the rookies. Paige
Bueckers has been doing her thing since being drafted by
the Dallas Wings earlier this year, already averaging 18.3 points
per game. Her resilience before joining the WNBA made her stand out
as well. Recovering from injuries and still putting up numbers and
passing the ball so effortlessly has made Paige a fan favorite.
This last
player is the epitome of record-breaking. A’ja
Wilson has been grinding nonstop, all gas, no breaks. A’ja
continues to prove why her spot is solidified in the WNBA. In the
2024 season, A’ja became the first player to lead in all 3
categories: points, rebounds, and blocks. She had a total of 1,021
points, 451 rebounds, and 98 blocks as of this writing. A’ja was
also named the 2024 Most Valuable Player for her unstoppable
performance on the Las Vegas Aces. This is A’ja’s third MVP award.
She is quite literally HER. As the 2025 WNBA season continues, A’ja
is putting up great stats and having outstanding games, certainly
proving why she is a key player in the sport.
Media
Impact
Publicizing
history as it comes to the WNBA has become more common now than
ever. With social media apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and X,
women’s basketball players are more than just ladies who dribble a
ball. Social media has allowed personalities to shine through on
and off the court. Players are able to connect and communicate with
people globally and build a strong fan base. Social media has also
allowed viewers to go back and catch highlights that they may have
missed or simply want to go back and reflect on. All of this just
increases the attention that is drawn to the WNBA. Players such as
Caitlyn Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are great examples
of players whose careers soared, of course due to their
performance, but also due to media coverage. The two go hand in
hand. Their excellent performances gave the media no other option
but to pay attention. In previous years, the WNBA didn’t receive as
much coverage as it currently does. That’s all because women are
killing it right now.
There’s no
doubt that women can do it all. The WNBA is a prime example. If you
needed a reason to celebrate women today, look no
further.