WNBA GlobalizationToriana Easley

Article Overview• WNBA globalization not only allows for individual cultures to

be spread throughout the different places these athletes go, but it also adds diversity and differences to the game of basketball.

• The reasoning as well as the way of playing basketball are completely different in many places.

Overview cont.• Many USA women’s professional basketball players play a full

season in the states and go over seas during the offseason to earn extra money and improve their game.

• Professional women’s basketball players makes about $36,570 yearly as apposed to professional men’s basketball players, which creates a emphasis on playing overseas in the offseason in order to earn money to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Globalization• Globalization is the transferring or integration of ideas,

culture, beliefs, and ways across the world.• The WNBA plays a key role in this because they spend time in

other countries playing the game of basketball and inadvertently change the ways they live everyday life.

• Globalization can occur in many different ways. -jobs -media -technology -traveling

Globalization WNBA• WNBA players choose whether or not they want to play

overseas during the 6 months offseason. • Some players are chosen based on ability and years played in

the WNBA • Professional basketball is played all around the world by

women. • The most common place for USA women to play is Europe or

China

Integration• The things integrated and transferred in this process are things

as simple as food, clothing, and products you may use in a everyday lifestyle.

• Some things may be more complex, such as the currency used, to the values of things, and even the government in different places.

Integration cont.• Ideas, customs, and beliefs are things that may grow over time

into your everyday lifestyle when being away from your family.• Your teammates, coaches, and fans often become your family

when traveling across the world.

European Basketball• 16 teams• Euroleague• FIBA owned league• World wide league• Global interaction• No college needed to play

USA Basketball• 16 teams• Have to be cleared by NCAA (National College Athletic

Association)• Have to attend four years of college• League only in USA• Players from all around the world

College Basketball• WNBA recruitment starts early in college. Online and social

coverage is key in order to get a fan base and following for these future WNBA stars

• Covering college games gives people a glimpse of whats to come at the professional level.

• Early exposure is key in the process of media coverage for WNBA players or else no one would know about these women.

Expansion• 16 teams with a roster of about 14 women on each team• Most if not all women play overseas during the offseason• Most women play in countries such as Iceland, Austria,

Hungary, and Greece,• The WNBA is equal to FIBA Euroleague in other countries• According to media statistics WNBA has an average of about

455,000 viewers per game

Media Coverage• Globalization occurs with media coverage because WNBA

games are shown all around the world on numerous channels

• The women’s basketball Olympic games are covered on television which gains viewers as well as WNBA all star games and WNBA finals tournament

• ESPN 2 and ABC is the mainstream for WNBA games. Local channels also show WNBA games.

Olympic game• The Olympic games are the games played every four years

which allows each country around the world to compete for a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal.

• These games bring attention to famous WNBA players in which bring a fan base for the regular season.

Players from WNBA that play overseas

• Sylvia Fowles-played for the USA team 3 years-plays for the Atlanta Dream-plays in China during the offseason

• Natasha Howard-plays for Indiana-plays in Israel during offseason-from Toledo Ohio

Players from overseas that play in the WNBA

• Ann Wauters-From Belgium-Drafted to WNBA-Plays in different countries during offseason

• Dalma Ivanyi-From Hungary-Drafted to WNBA -Plays back home in offseason

Overseas reliance on WNBA• In all actuality, WNBA players rely on overseas leagues and

teams to make a living and live comfortably. • Whereas in other countries they rely on WNBA players to

come make them better in order to have an opportunity to play in the WNBA against the best of the best.

• Professional womens basketball is one big cycle.

Euro Goals vs. USA goal

• European ball is based on donations and ultimate goal is to win at all cost for themselves, their family, and fans. They have a strong bond.

• USA ball is commercially owned and the ultimate goal is to win while making money. They give back to the community to keep a strong bond.

How does globalization affect the game• Globalization brings many changes and difference to the game

in many aspects. • For example: Game times, Season times, Game rules, and

even style of play are transferred and mixed in all around the world. Also more money is brought to these players.

• Although many things are different all of these women are brought together for one common goal, which is to play basketball.

Salary • There is a $750,000 salary cap per team for WNBA players.• Players go overseas to earn a living.• The money they make overseas supports their lifestyles and

provides opportunity for endorsements and potential networks.

Questions• What are some ways for WNBA players to make more money?• Why is the salary cap so low? And how do you increase it?• Is it possible to play permanently overseas?• Who makes decisions of where WNBA players are to play?

Works cited

Braille, L. (n.d.). Womens Game Becoming More Worldly. Retrieved March 03, 2016, fromhttp://www.wnba.com/archive/wnba/features/globalization_070608.htm

Kaufman, P. (2015, February 18). Everyday Sociology Blog. Retrieved March 03, 2016, from http://www.everydaysociologyblog.com/2015/02/globalization-is-the-world-getting-smaller-or-larger.html

Skye, L. (2014, May 11). Impact of globalization on basketball. Retrieved March 3, 2016, from http://www.court-side.com/news/impactofglobalizationonbasketball/