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WNBA Women's National Basketball Association

2004 WNBA season resumes with USA gold, increased TV ratings and new marketing partnerships

September 7, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release


NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 – On the heels of the USA Women's Senior National Team's gold medal-winning performance in Athens, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) opened the second half of the 2004 season on September 1, amidst much fan anticipation, excitement and now with four new marketing deals.

The WNBA has announced new marketing relationships with Nike and its Brand Jordan and Converse brands, Foot Locker, Dell and got milk?. These marketers are teaming with the WNBA to leverage the league's ability to reach an avid fan base of women and girls through their passion for women's basketball. The fan base is especially desirable since research indicates women make 80% of all household purchase decisions.

As the season resumes, ratings for women ages 18-49 are up 33% on ABC and up 67% for teens on ESPN2 and interest from blue-chip companies is at an all-time high, as evidenced by the highest number of marketing partners in WNBA history. Earlier in the year, Nokia joined forces with the league and Procter & Gamble added two brands to their deal, making a total of 10 P & G brands promoted through the WNBA.

"With increased WNBA TV ratings going into the August break and now with the success of the Women's team in Athens, the popularity of women's basketball has never been greater," said WNBA Chief Operating Officer Ann Sarnoff. "Our partners have teamed with the WNBA because they recognize that we are in the unique position to reach women and girls through world-class basketball."

USA Basketball

The Women's Senior National Team brought home the gold medal from Athens in dominant fashion. WNBA superstars Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Dawn Staley helped lead the team to its third straight gold medal. After the gold medal win in Atlanta in 1996, the excitement surrounding women's basketball helped spur the birth of the WNBA.

WNBA

The 2004 WNBA regular season resumed on September 1. Ratings for ABC's and ESPN2's telecasts of WNBA games are up 14 and 16 percent respectively from a year ago. The season-opening telecast featuring the Phoenix Mercury at the Connecticut Sun was the highest rated WNBA game (regular season or playoffs) ever on ABC, and the July 11 telecast featuring the Mercury at the New York Liberty was the highest rated WNBA regular season game ever on ESPN2. Total visits to the league's official web site, WNBA.com, have increased 10% over last season, with more than 4.5 million visits to date. For more information, visit WNBA.com.

International

The Australian Women's National Team, which took the silver medal, featured six current or former WNBA players and was led by reigning WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson (Seattle Storm) and 2002 WNBA All-Star Penny Taylor (Phoenix Mercury). While Russia's bronze medal-winning team featured three players with WNBA backgrounds including Elena Baranova of the New York Liberty. In all, 42 current or former WNBA players competed in Athens.

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