WNBA and Athletes Unlimited hockey player Lexie Brown is the host columnist for today.
When I was playing for the Connecticut Sun in my first year, I can recall the first time I saw one wearing my WNBA shirt. However, I was traded to the Minnesota Lynx the following year in order to support that incredible lover. For the first time, I was given a perspective on the persistent problem of the supply and production of women’s sports clothing and uniforms.
We are in the middle of a children’s activities enlightenment, and the WNBA is forward and center. Fans are filling our arenas, social media accounts for the players, and it seems like a new TV viewers history is set every month. I actually watched Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals in New York and was blown away by the electricity there. It was the ideal way to finish a legendary year that had the highest number of viewers in 20 times.

Our devoted supporters unquestionably continue to support us consistently and carefully, especially when there are many women’s sports fans in our arena, but the supply is still not meeting the demand.
According to a report from Klarna and Sports Innovation Lab, the market for women’s sports merchandise is estimated to be worth$ 4 billion annually. There is still a lot of money to be had during this exponential growth time, so it is now necessary to act. I’ve heard it far too often that our gear and apparel are about indisputable to purchase. Due to the increased presence of women’s basketball, it is a frustrating period that is becoming more and more visible. The same way you ca n’t support something you ca n’t see, which was long a problem for the women’s game, you ca n’t purchase something that’s not available to be bought.
The current success and improved awareness of the activity is something to be celebrated, yet, disparity still is extremely prominent, with only 9 % of sponsorship money allocated to women’s sports. There must also be a rise in the entire purchase in women’s activities on and off the court in addition to the persistent need for more advertising and sponsorship dollars.
There is no equivalent force on the women’s part to a LeBron James and his reach, according to Robert Müller von Vultejus, the main growth officer at Sportfive, who quoted him lately. I do n’t disagree with his assertion, but my contention stems from the fact that those responsible for making these decisions and distributing these funds frequently make use of an extreme example of success to argue the lack of parity in the sponsorship market. It’s cruel to look at the development of women’s sports, and it’s a cop-out when questioned why it has taken so long to invest in women’s sports.
In a location deal, the WNBA recently renewed collaborations with The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video and NBC Universal. This is a testament to the desire and interest from global children’s sports enthusiasts. With 40 % of the world’s players being women, just 15 % of athletics advertising is granted to them.

Women athletes should not only be praised for their athletic prowess, but also be compensated for their personalities and profitability. When we turn on the tv or browse through our devices, we can see ourselves represented.
One of my favourite things about activities is seeing a person’s or player’s story, their great and lows, and finally their success through their work ethic. In the past, those tales were very frequently presented entirely through the lens of men for male consumption. The 2024 Paris Olympics were the most extreme example of how much has changed, with 50 % of the Olympians people.
The need for female athletes to serve as the eyes and ambassadors for businesses and products has reached an all-time large, and the desire seems to be never-ending. The age of proclaiming that “women’s activities are coming” is around. Children’s sports have arrived. Today, the products may follow.
Los Angeles Sparks and Athletes Unlimited’s professional sports team Lexie Brown. She is currently the executive council chair of the AU professional basketball player.