Samuelson hopes to get more involved in helping grow interest in the WNBA in the near futureGETTY IMAGES
The WNBA Chicago Sky "haven’t had a recognizable player with all-around star value" since dealing F Elena Delle Donne to the Washington Mystics in '17, but '19 draftee Katie Lou Samuelson has the "potential to fill that void on Chicago’s crowded sports landscape," according to Madeline Kenney of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Samuelson said, "I’m going to make sure that I’m doing what I need to do on the court. But if I can do anything to help off the court, absolutely, I would be willing and enjoy that.” Samuelson was embraced by the UConn fan base for her "shooting and personality." She has more than 18,000 followers on Twitter. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in '18 admitted that the WNBA has a "marketing problem." WNBA COO Christin Hedgpeth also "recognizes the league’s issues with brand awareness." She said that the league has "begun to address the issue." However, the WNBA still "lacks players with recognizable star value." Samuelson said that she is "'absolutely aware' of the state of the league and plans to get involved once she is acquainted." The WNBA and Sky's marketing endeavors are separate, but they "share a common goal: Both want to appeal to a younger, more vast audience" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/4).
