A T-shirt featuring the statement “Everyone watches women’s sports” has gone viral, capturing the attention of many across the United States. Printed by the brand Togethxr, the shirt has generated an impressive $3 million in sales over the past seven months. High-profile celebrities such as Jason Sudeikis, Serena Williams, Sue Bird, and Dawn Staley have been seen wearing it. During this period of heightened interest in women’s sports, particularly in the WNBA, the recent championship win by the New York Liberty is the cherry on top.
Ending a long drought for professional basketball in New York, the Liberty, led by Sabrina Ionescu, Brianna Stewart, and rookie Leonie Fiebich, captured their first championship since the formation of the franchise on October 20. This win marks the first championship for New York since 1973, when the Knicks last claimed their title. Previously the only original WNBA franchise without a championship, the Liberty finally showcased their talent after falling short in the finals last year against the Las Vegas Aces, who they beat in the semi-finals.
Contrary to popular belief, the absence of championship titles was not a reflection of talent. The Liberty has been home to numerous star players since the league’s creation in 1997, including Vickie Johnson, Tina Charles, and Hall of Fame guards Teresa Weatherspoon and Becky Hammon, the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces for the 2022 and 2023 championship wins. After reaching the finals in 1997, 1999, and 2000, losing to the Houston Comets, and again in 2002 to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Liberty fell short once more against the Las Vegas Aces last year. However, this season, the Liberty finished with an impressive record of 32 wins and only 8 losses, securing the top spot in the league. With their playoff position perfectly set, they did not disappoint this time around. Brianna Stewart’s poise during crucial free throws in overtime enabled the Liberty to dominate both in the paint and from beyond the arc, lighting the Barclays crowd up in a way never seen before. With this win, New York has solidified its status as a city of champions, led by the Liberty players and their mascot, Ellie the Elephant.
This event also speaks to the broader issue of gender equality in sports, not only in terms of viewing accessibility but also regarding opportunity and equality. With the increasing attention, sponsorships, and fan engagement in the WNBA, it is crucial to address the significant pay disparity between female basketball players and their male counterparts. Currently, WNBA players receive only 9.3% of the league’s revenue, while NBA players earn between 49% and 51% of revenue, leading to a substantial difference in yearly earnings. This revenue encompasses earnings from product sales, television contracts, commercials, and jersey sales. As this recent championship win draws more media attention to the league, it could catalyze lasting change, especially with the existing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) set to expire in 2025. Don’t forget to tune in next season in May!
