In recent years we’ve seen an unrelenting rise in women in sports, most especially in basketball, the popularity of a specific sport often rises on the strength of a story a strong narrative that propels the game forward, it creates a sense of belonging and relatability for fans and compels new viewers, the thing is the power of the women's game for narratives and high stakes, compelling play has been around or years, but is hasn't always been presented with proper attention.
The participation and interest in organized sports is still predominantly a male thing the disparity in sport spectatorship and participation is simply because there hasn’t been enough professional teams and leagues featuring female players to attract female spectators but change is on its way from equal pay agreements to phenomenal comeback stories, record audiences, new media deals women’s sports are in the spotlight now more than ever. The England Lionesses shocked the nation last year after winning the Euro 2022 after beating Germany 2-1 in extra time at wembley, it's the country’s first major trophy since the men’s side won the first world cup in 1996, the late Queen of England said that the Lionesses have “set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations ..”
The trajectory of inspiration is is being seen in women’s team and individual sports and there’s a loud rumbling coming from the women’s basketball arena, college basketball has taken social media and and news outlets such as The WSLAM magazine by storm featuring national champion basketball team LSU (Louisiana State University) Tigers, history was made when LSU won the 2023 NCCA national championship, its first in program in history, after six attempts in the last Final Four, LSU finally broke through to the title game and won it all.
When Kim Mulkey was introduced to coach her home state team in 2021 she turned around and asked everyone to turn around and look at the semifinal banner, “nowhere on it does it say national champion .. that’s what I came to do, Mulkey came to LSU as the most successful new coach hire in the schools history she won national championships at Baylor in 2005, 2012 and 2019 during her 2021 seasons in Waco, Texas.
Kim Mulkey has a phenomenal leadership style and has been highly successful at taking troubled players and giving them a second chance, her players feed off her passion and feverish energy on and off the court the national championship game featured two of the biggest stars in the women’s college basketball Angel Resse and Caitlin Clark both of these players embody the growing game from their monstrous social media presence to their style off play, Resse stand at 6 foot 3 and she isn't the typical forward she has the quickness of a guard. The Tigers sophomore has had a huge tournament run averaging 22.6 points and 16.2 rebounds. She is the first player to record 100 points, 70 rebounds, 10 blocks and 10 steals in one NCAA Tournament,Clark is quick hitting shots from the logo and making incredible tight passes in tight windows. She carries the pace and 3-point shot ability where the modern game has moved. Everyone is waiting in anticipation to see what the next season of women's college basketball will look like. More than anything people are starting to understand that women can play with excitement and a passion, that's what's fun and that's what people want to see and are attracted too, the visibility, sponsorship and viewership of women's sport will change the world of sport forever so hang on it tight it’s about to be a very interesting ride.
