At this day in age, female athletes are shining brighter than ever before. Women’s sports have been under the radar, overlooked, and disregarded for an extended amount of time. Over the past few years, we have witnessed plentiful progression in several sports for women at the professional level. For team achievements as well as individual accomplishments. From basketball to track, soccer and hockey, the skill level and popularity must be talked about and in the conversation.
From the intensification of new heated rivalries like the “Caitlan Clark and Angel Reece Beef”, to the upsurge of large companies and corporations showing interest in wanting a piece of the action to sell controversy. Corporate giants haven’t been shy when it comes to investing in women’s sports. Ally Financial became the big-name brand to lock in a 50/50 advertising spend across men’s and women’s sports. Back in 2022, women’s sports revenue was projected to grow by 340% between then and now.
In 2023, women’s sports global revenue capped out at $692 million, and now are well on the way to be valued well over a $3 billion industry within a matter of months at this pace, while North America contains 54% of the global market, according to Deloitte. Women’s professional sports only receive 15% total of sports media coverage, and as the exposure and revenue increases, so should the salaries for all professional female athletes. And we must pay homage to the main ones in the spotlight responsible for gaining attention to their respected sport.
Spotlight on Track
One of the most decorated track athletes of all time, Allyson Felix is coming out of retirement and making a comeback for another Olympic run in 2028 at the age of 40. Flexing Felix has all the bragging rights in the world to make a bold return to the track. She has been in the game for 20 years, has been to 5 Olympic Events and has collected 11 Olympic Medals including 7 Gold Medals, and 21 World Championship Medals with 15 of them being Gold.
Another “Legend in the Making” Sha’Carri Richardson made history that hasn’t been talked about enough, clocking 13.08 seconds in the 120 Meter final at the Stawell Gift Event, becoming the fastest women’s time ever. The most impressive feat about this is that Sha’Carri’s opponents all had a 10-meter head start. A massive disadvantage and she still dusted every single one of her opponents. The sheer talent and speed Richardson possesses is completely off the charts and needs to be studied. Young women participating in competitive flag football idolize Sha’Carri and have voiced the impact she has on an entirely different generation of younger female athletes.
Speaking of flag football, the breakthrough is finally in motion for the young unseasoned generation of girls who have been given the green flag to participate and compete at the varsity level in Washington D.C. with 51 teams, and Maryland with 26 teams for the first time ever. With the exponential growth of women’s flag football on the east coast, the sport will also debut for the first time in the 2028 L.A. Olympics. This is another prime example exhibiting the advancement of women’s sports that’ll encourage the next generation.
As for Women’s Hockey…
The PWHL is on fire this year and gaining momentum like we’ve never seen for women’s professional hockey. The league has increased its partnerships by 35%, merchandise sales have increased by 100%, YouTube viewership has increased by 77%, and the average attendance is up 28%. The league just ended the 3rd regular season and announced there were 1,116,497 fans in the stands through 120 games this 2025-26 season, which is the first time the PWHL has surpassed the 1 million milestone mark. The PWHL set a new US Women’s attendance record earlier this month at Madison Square Garden with 18,006 fans in the stands.
Basketball? Volleyball? Soccer?
March Madness for the women had the 2nd highest ranking for being the most watched on ESPN last month. The UCLA vs South Carolina Natty Game was the 3rd most watched Natty game in history and peaked at 18.9 million viewers who tuned in. The LA market with the rest of the nation tapped in through the entire game even though it ended in a blowout.
Bring em out! Bring em out! Bring em out!
- Volleyball has stood out, especially in Nebraska. The Omaha Supernova’s attracted 16,838 fans and set the attendance record for U.S. Pro Volleyball on March 14th.
- NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) broke barriers with their new expansion to the Denver Summit and packed the house with 63,004 avid soccer fans, which is the new record for fans in attendance.
The growth is real, and so is the eccentric product being displayed on the national and international stage for all women’s sports. The women aren’t on their way. They’re here cacophonously making a statement.
Everyone. Watches. Women’s. Sports.
Dante Robinson | Senior Women’s Sports Analyst for The NSR Network
