Coco Gauff and Simone Biles leading the way as women’s sports booms in 2024
Sports News Blitz have added Shameeka Voyiya to the team to focus on the growing popularity of women’s sports and female athletes.
The year 2024 has been an incredible one so far, and here Shameeka does a deep dive into the data behind the rise in popularity.
Female domination
Have you been wondering why sports headlines this year have been dominated by female athletes and teams?
From the Paris Olympics to the WNBA, we’ll be breaking down some iconic moments in women’s sports that have catapulted female athletes to new heights in 2024.
Stunning stats
Deloitte forecasted that in 2024, for the first time ever, women’s sports would generate revenue that surpasses $1billion. This is a 300% increase on the industry’s evaluation in 2021.
According to Nielsen Insights, the 2024 WNBA Draft audience increased by 511% and recorded a 668% increase in female viewership between ages 2 to 17. An overall interest in the WNBA grew by 29% between 2023 and 2024.
What’s more, the National Women’s Soccer League showed a 17% increase in audience interest between 2023 and 2024. Interest in England’s Women’s Super League soared to 52%.
It’s obvious that more people are showing an active interest in women’s sport, and the media is playing its part in showcasing this growth.
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2024 Paris Olympics
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games were a significant milestone in sports history, marking the first time that women made up 50% of participants.
The full gender parity achievement highlights concrete steps taken to promote female athletes on a global front.
“In Paris, we are seeing the results of the enormous efforts made by the Olympic Movement and female trailblazers come to life. This is our contribution to a more gender-equal world,” said Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Iconic names dominating women’s sports
Speaking of female trailblazers, many memorable athletes have emerged to secure their success in various women’s sports between 2023 and 2024.
While it’s difficult to provide a particular reason for the major increase in popularity of women’s sports, the rising stars and their social media presence are said to be attractive to new audiences.
From South Africa’s own Tatjana Smith’s gold medal Olympic win in the100m breaststroke, to American college star Caitlin Clark becoming the first rookie in 16 years to be named to the All-WNBA first team, 2024 has been the year for many female athletes.
We cannot forget about Simone Biles being regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time with seven Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals.
With 1.8million Instagram followers, Coco Gauff has also made a name for herself in the world of tennis.
What’s next for women’s sports?
The UK is preparing to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, building more anticipation for audiences.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals are still going strong as we approach the semi-finals.
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