The GIST

WNBA and key sponsors expand Voice In Sport partnership to empower young fans

Yesterday, the WNBA and its Changemaker Collective — a group of community-focused brands — extended a key partnership with women-focused digital platform Voice in Sport (VIS). By collaborating with VIS, the W and its partners are able to reach a passionate Gen Z and Gen Alpha fanbase that’s looking to stay involved in basketball, both as players and fans.

March 28, 2025

WNBA responds to record 2024 viewership with 2025 television schedule

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During its record-breaking 2024 season, the WNBA saw a massive viewership jump across networks — especially when Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark graced the screen. And based on its 2025 regular-season schedule unveiled last week, the W is doubling down on 2024’s wins with increased broadcast exposure, giving an easy assist to its partners.

March 24, 2025

TNT proposes rotating Unrivaled schedule despite purpose-built Miami facility

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Unrivaled enjoyed a strong debut in its inaugural season, but some are concerned the novelty has worn off. With the exception of its 1v1 tournament, league viewership has petered off since January, with TNT Sports execs telling the Sports Business Journal’s Mollie Cahillane they believe the league should consider touring to reach new markets.

March 14, 2025

WNBA athletes would consider sitting out 2026 season if CBA requirements aren’t met

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Last Friday, WNBA stars Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington spoke on Reese’s Unapologetically Angel podcast about upcoming CBA negotiations. According to them, the sentiment around the league is that if players don’t get certain table stakes, they’re ready to walk.

March 10, 2025

Indiana Fever hopes to become legacy brand with help from Caitlin Clark

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With Caitlin Clark at the helm, the Indiana Fever is seeing marketing opportunities like never before, so the team wants to capitalize to build a legacy brand. Fever president of basketball operations Kelly Krauskopf has said she envisions the team as an “enduring brand like Apple.”

March 07, 2025

Unrivaled signs landmark deal with OneTeam for WNBPA player licensing rights

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Yesterday, OneTeam Partners — an agency that represents several pro athlete unions — announced a transformative partnership with 3v3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled and the WNBPA. Through the agreement, Unrivaled now owns group licensing rights for WNBPA athletes, meaning that the league (and its players) can finally capitalize on NIL–driven products and branding.

February 28, 2025

Kevin Hart’s entertainment company partners with Indiana Pacers and Fever in WNBA–driven collaboration

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Hartbeat — the new multichannel entertainment company founded by comedian Kevin Hart — is diving deep into the basketball world with a WNBA–driven partnership. Yesterday, Hartbeat announced its partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) to serve as its official “cultural curator” to merge sport, entertainment, and culture in Indiana and beyond.

February 28, 2025

Sports Business

Lagging NBA ratings could benefit from winning women’s basketball strategies

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February 21, 2025

It’s no secret that the NBA has been losing viewership in recent years, something the league has often sought to address with creative and successful solutions inspired by women’s basketball. These learnings could lead to increased collaboration between men’s and women’s hoops, including a shift in how the men’s game interacts with the women’s.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #447

Eat chalk: How every No. 1 seed made it to the men’s Final Four

April 01, 2025

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Eat chalk: How every No. 1 seed made it to the men’s Final Four

March Madness, meet April reality check.

Sorry, Cinderella — this year, the men’s March Madness tourney is straight chalk, with all four top seeds advancing to the Final Four after last weekend’s Elite Eight showdowns. But how did we really get here? On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz discuss how the transfer portal and NIL created a Final Four chalkfest. May the best teams win.

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