The GIST

Paige Buecker’s draft entry creates various opportunities for new WNBA sponsors

The hype around projected No. 1 WNBA Draft pick Paige Bueckers is reminiscent of last year’s frenzy around aforementioned Fever star Caitlin Clark. Her entry into the league spurred spending around the Fever, the W, and Clark herself, and it seems the same is expected for Bueckers and her potential landing place, the Dallas Wings

April 14, 2025

Paige Bueckers expected to bring similar economic impact to Dallas as Caitlin Clark did with Indianapolis

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On Monday, the Dallas Wings drafted UConn star Paige Bueckers first overall, and she’s expected to bring comparable economic impact as fellow W star Caitlin Clark did when she was drafted by the Indianapolis Fever last year. Let’s review how Clark boosted the local economy and elevated the Fever to one of the league’s most coveted brands.

April 14, 2025

🏀 That’s a wrap: women’s March Madness by the numbers

NCAA enjoys strong viewership for women’s March Madness

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While viewership of this year’s NCAA women’s March Madness did dip in the post–Caitlin Clark era, women’s basketball fandom is certainly here to stay. The tournament wrapped with a dominant UConn win over South Carolina and so much more: A sold-out crowd, historic audiences, and promising growth.

April 07, 2025

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

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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

Sports Business

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

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March 07, 2025

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.”

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #453

Drama & dysfunction: How the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić era imploded

April 22, 2025

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Drama & dysfunction: How the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić era imploded

The NBA is so the drama.

If you thought the first few games of the NBA playoffs were exciting, just wait until you hear what’s going on behind-the-scenes. On Monday, ESPN dropped a bombshell article detailing the Dallas Mavericks’ dysfunction amidst the blockbuster trade that sent franchise star and generational talent, Luka Dončić, to the LA Lakers.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their takeaways from the report, including the questionable decisions general manager Nico Harrison has been making for years. Don’t miss this one.

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