The state of women’s basketball has been under fire for not providing the platforms and resources it deserves, especially in comparison to men’s basketball. This article discusses the upcoming women’s national team game in Nigeria, one of the first times the team will offer live audio broadcasts. The author notes that the game is selling tickets for only $10, while men’s team tickets cost $130 on average. The National Basketball Association’s player-led activism during the 2020 season has arguably helped in generating awareness and bringing attention to women’s basketball. However, promoters such as Goldfied, a start-up promoter, need independent broadcasting rights to boost revenue. The W.N.B.A. ended its contract with CBS a few years ago to alleviate the financial burden on the league and provide more competitive pay to players. The N.B.A. will now air W.N.B.A. games on ESPN. The recently launched Twitter network, which carries Wednesday night games, also provides live audio of Women’s World Cup games. NBA teams, such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, are adding larger video screens and upgrades to home games to create better fan experiences. The author maintains that great players deserve incredible settings that match their abilities. The sale of the W.N.B.A. team the Atlanta Dream to a new majority owner, Vivek Ranadivé, has contributed to increased revenue. NBA players, such as Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry, are encouraging their many followers to attend Dream games. Popular college women’s basketball games, such as those between UConn and South Carolina, have become “like rock concerts” with upwards of 20,000 followers, which is not the case for men’s college basketball games with only 12,000 fans. However, the article suggests that college men’s game are beginning to decline in popularity. The Women’s College Basketball Crowd starting at just $10 for excellent seats could make the event more attractive to fans, who will be hearing W.N.B.A. star players Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart on the court. Dunn, the founder of Goldfied, a start-up promoting the women’s game, has secured sponsorships and broadcasting rights to offer live audio broadcasts for the U.S.-Nigeria game in New York City on March 30. The game will give the W.N.B.A. players a chance to exhibit their skills in front of a larger audience and gain more international experience. The article ends by noting Nelson Mandella’s quote, “Sports can create hope where once there was only despair,” and provides inspiration for women’s basketball to prosper and grow. The author emphasizes the potential for live audio broadcasts to pave the way for women’s basketball to emerge from “radio’s dark ages” and increase audience reach nationally and internationally.
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