Editor’s note: The reporter is a member of Marywood Women’s Basketball team.

The WNBA has impacted so many women athletes worldwide. When you think of the WNBA, you think of the big names like Sabrina Ionescu, Diana Taurassi, Kelsey Plum, A’ja Wilson or Caitlin Clark, whose performances go unmatched to most women’s basketball players. Clark played a significant role in the growth of women’s sports because of her record breaking, athleticism and motivation to the sport, changing the game significantly. 

Maddie Labatch, a college freshman, is on the women’s basketball team at Marywood. Her high school senior season was cut short because of an ACL injury. She is expected to be cleared to play by January. She still works on her game on the sidelines whether that be dribbling, shooting, or watching the game.

“Watching the game really helped me understand and helped me improve my basketball knowledge,” said Labatch. 

She looks up to Ionescu and how much of a dominant player she is in the league.

“I love that women’s sports are growing in popularity. Women can do just as good as a male in anything they put their mind to, and I’m very happy they are finally getting recognized” Labatch said. 

During the 2023 season, the average attendance for the WNBA was 6,615. It has increased 156% compared to last year. NCAA women’s basketball passed the men’s basketball in views last season. During the women’s NCAA tournament, a total of 292,456 attended the first and second round games. The 2024-2025 season for Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball is sold out. Former Hawkeye Caitlin Clark dropped her first shoe with Nike on July 31, 2024, and UCONN star Paige Bueckers released her first shoe September 12, 2024. Sabrina Ionescu dropped her shoe in March of 2023. Women’s sports are growing so much. 

The sport is a huge motivator on and off the court, even if you are injured on the sidelines, cheering on your team or being the head coach of a team. Marywood Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tara Macciocco has been a head coach at the Division III level for 20 years. “When I played basketball, everybody looked up to Michael Jordan or the Detroit Pistons. Women’s basketball has evolved so much and is being aired on TV more than ever before, largely in part to Clark. The growth is incredible. The Clark effect real,” Macciocco said. “She has done more for the game than anyone will be able to understand.”

Women basketball players are now getting the recognition they deserve because of the popularity growth in women’s sports.  

When asked why women’s sports are growing, Coach Macciocco said, “Women’s soccer is fighting for equal pay.” 

At the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the U.S. Women’s National Team won the tournament, bringing attention to the inequalities in pay and resources. In May 2022, the USWNT and U.S soccer reached a collective bargaining agreement that included agreements for equal pay.

“NIL is huge in women’s sports right now.” Coach Macciocco said. 

NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) is showing how much money women athletes are making, sometimes the same or if not more than male athletes. 

Not only can a player impact the game, it can also be the coaches on the sidelines. Macciocco admires Becky Hammon, who is the head coach for Las Vegas Aces. 

 “She has done an unbelievable job breaking barriers for women,” Maccicco said. 

Hammon challenged the gender norms for equality. This opened Macciocco’s eyes to be an assistant for the men’s basketball team at Keystone College.

Seeing the growth of women’s sports is inspiring and highlights the progress toward greater equality and opportunity for female athletes. Women’s sports are now being aired on television, equal equipment, equal pay and equal recognition they deserve.    

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