Lynx F Maya Moore in a PLAYERS' TRIBUNE entry wrote in order for the WNBA to grow as a league, "we've got to grow the visibilty" of the sport. She wrote there is this "unnatural break in exposure for the highest level of women’s basketball in the world." Moore: "Wait, what happened here? That’s a question we as WNBA players ask ourselves. We go from amazing AAU experiences to high school All-American games to the excitement and significant platform of the collegiate level to ... this. All of that visibility to … this. Less coverage. Empty seats. Fewer eyeballs." She wrote since turning pro in '11 "all of that momentum, all of that passion, all of that support -- the ball of momentum is deflating before my eyes." Somewhere up the chain of command -- in companies that, in many ways, "dictate what is 'cool' -- people are making choices not to celebrate the WNBA and its players." The WNBA has "a great deal with ESPN -- they renewed our contract to televise a certain amount of WNBA games, which is great." It is a "huge reason of why we’re going to continue being successful as a league." But "engaged and invested cultural influencers and partners in corporate America are crucial in elevating the profile of the WNBA." The league has "a product worth celebrating." But the WNBA's marketing is something that "needs to improve, no question." Moore: "The marketing needs to match our product. There should be more time and effort spent celebrating the basketball. Make the uniforms more flattering, people say." She added, "Celebrate us for the things that matter -- the stories, the basketball, the character, the fiery competitiveness, our professionalism. I want someone to watch me play because of my jump shot, not my tight shorts" (THEPLAYERSTRIBUNE.com, 4/30).
