Sheryl Swoopes on WNBA: "I say it's a movement"
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Sheryl Swoopes speaking to fans during Final Four weekend (left) and holding a trophy during the 2000 WNBA season. Photo: AT&T, Getty Images.
Sheryl Swoopes believes the women in college basketball and the WNBA are "finally getting the recognition they deserve."
Why it matters: Swoopes, who signed with the WNBA when the league started in the '90s, has seen the landscape of women's basketball shift.
Catch up quick: Over the last year, viewership has surged, historic TV deals have been penned and new teams are launching.
What they're saying: "Not only on the court, but off the court. We have more eyes, more opportunities, more brands, people just wanting a piece of it. And it's so exciting to see just how far the game has come," Swoopes told Axios at an AT&T fan meet-and-greet during the women's Final Four weekend in Tampa.
- "Those of us who started the league … this is where we always hoped that the league would be. And as exciting as it is, still having so much more work to do."
The Hall of Famer spoke to Axios about the future of the league, Dawn Staley and the incoming draft class.
Q: Do you think other leagues like Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled are putting pressure on the WNBA to fight for pay equity?
- "The opportunity that they have provided a lot of these players who haven't gotten an opportunity to play professionally in the W(NBA) or maybe don't want to go overseas, it's really good to see. And then you throw in Unrivaled this season — just the pay alone that Unrivaled was able to do with the sponsors and investors, it's big time."
Context: Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball launched in January 2022 and Swoopes is part of the advisory board and serves as a color commentator for the league. Unrivaled, a 3-3 league, tipped off this year, with notable salaries higher than the max WNBA contracts.
- "Competition is a great thing. I think putting pressure on brands and companies that's also a great thing."
Q: What does it mean to you to watch your former teammate Dawn Staley coach and create a dynasty at South Carolina?
- "I get emotional when I talk about her because I know her story. I know her journey. I know what she's done for this game, and not only what she's done for South Carolina, but what she's done for women in general. Dawn Staley is little, but she's so mighty in everything that she does, everything that she stands for, that she represents, and she is the epitome of being a strong Black woman, living in the moment, doing what she can do and always, always encouraging and uplifting the next person."
Q: What's the biggest piece of advice you could give to the incoming WNBA rookie class?
- "Enjoy the moment … because it's gonna go by so fast, and you want to be present. Be present in that space. And other than that, I would just say, when you do get to the league, be a sponge. Soak up everything that you could learn, especially from your vets who've been there. Take it all in, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's how you're gonna learn. That's how you're gonna get better. And go be you. You're here for a reason. So go, be you and be confident in that."
What we're watching: The 2025 WNBA Draft is Monday and will determine where NCAA standouts like Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Hailey Van Lith and Te-Hina Paopao will land.
- The Golden State Valkyries — the league's newest team — will start playing this upcoming season, and the Toronto Tempo and a team in Portland, Oregon, will launch in 2026.
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