Tag: sports (page 1 of 1)

Leslie Jones and Sparky, the Los Angeles Sparks' mascot, are singing courtside at Crypto.com Arena with each other.

May 23, 2025 / 2 Comments

Loving the WNBA in a Season of Change

How can I follow the WNBA without being online? There must be a way because being online with the WNBA makes me want to drown myself. I hate all of you! And the biggest reason I can’t stand online WNBA discourse: it’s hardly ever about basketball.

Bomani Jones

Women’s basketball is on the rise. Many more people are watching at all levels. The players are securing the type of fame and notoriety that they have long deserved. Money is pouring in through exposure and expansion, and the paydays will soon follow.

But alongside the good tidings has come a growing fanbase, some of whom seem disinterested in respecting the WNBA’s culture, vibe, or history. All the things that I have cherished over 11 summers as a season ticket holder with the Los Angeles Sparks and cultivated as a fan of these athletes since before the league began.

I attended SXSW religiously between 2005 and 2011. In ‘05, the tech part of the festival was mostly a sideshow to the main event film + music tracks. Tech was active but quaint. There was little fanfare and a lot of camaraderie. It felt like we were all in on a secret: the internet was cool. By 2010, the event had grown so big that I half-jokingly said there were enough other black folks in attendance that I could afford not to like some of them. By 2011, I felt like an outsider and decided it would be my last.

A week before the 2025 WNBA season started, I worried that this summer might mirror my separation from SXSW.

“This might be the summer where we start losing the magic,” I said in the group chat.

The online discourse was overwhelmingly driving that feeling of dread. After months of quiet, the battle lines reappeared in the culture war over Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese—stans vs. fans, bluster vs. reason, aggression vs. inclusion. The tribalism that is a hallmark of college basketball fandom was rearing its ugly head during the draft and training camp as social media stans caped for their school’s players and jumped in the mentions of any person who dared critique them. Wannabe basketball influencers delivered hot takes in bad faith, seeking attention and engagement.

A play caught my attention while watching the opening weekend matchup of the Chicago Sky at the Indiana Fever with the sound off. I commented about it on Threads: an off-the-cuff observation that in most basketball conversations would be pretty milquetoast. It happened to be about Angel Reese in reaction to a hard foul from Caitlin Clark, though, and it brought to my doorstep the exact kind of interactions I don’t want to be having around this sport I love.

The home opener for the Sparks was the next day, and I was anxious like a kid on the first day of school. I often say that Crypto.com Arena has long felt like church. I go there to find fellowship, community, and to feel the spirit. Well, my spirit, at least. Even when we lose, those three hours are my respite. But this summer, there were changes afoot: our long-time in-arena host is with the expansion Golden State Valkyries; our long-time account reps had been replaced; there had been little communication from the organization about what to expect.

I need not have worried, though. While some things had changed, the good vibes were in plentiful supply. Familiar faces greeted us everywhere, and friends new and old were all around us. Neither the bad actors present in Indy the previous day nor the ever-present online drama followed us into my sacred place.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship with social media recently. The telltale signs that I need a break from the apps are here: increased time spent, decreased satisfaction with the experience, doomscrolling, and fomo. Despite my frustration with some interactions, discussing the W online is still one of the best parts of today’s internet.

Unlike Bomani, I don’t hate this community. He must not run in the same circles I do because I still make meaningful connections with WNBA fans via online social spaces. I find plenty of folks who want to talk basketball. On a different episode of Jones’s podcast, Elle Duncan compared WNBA fans to NBA Twitter—caring and communicating about the whole culture of the sport from the games and its stars to fashion, jokes, memes, themes, and even the playful pettiness of fandom. All that is still here if you know where to look and who to give your time to. The rhythm, hustle, flow, and beauty of the W are also represented by its very online community. It might be dispersed across many networks but hasn’t gone anywhere.

Just because the barbarians have broken through the gate, that doesn’t mean we have to cede our ground. I walked away from SXSW, but I’m not giving up on the WNBA. It’s my home. It’s our house.

There’s too much magic amongst the mess. There’s too much love in the game.

Seasons change, we remain.

April 7, 2025 / 0 Comments

Your Event Has Ended

The South Carolina Gamecocks had just defeated the Texas Longhorns in the first Women’s Final Four game on Friday night. After Holly Rowe completed her post-game interviews, Ryan Ruocco announced that we would be sent to the post-game show with Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter, and Chiney Ogwumike for about 30 minutes while the UCONN Huskies and UCLA Bruins warmed up for the day’s closing semifinal. Instead of smoothly transitioning to that broadcast, which was delivered via the same linear feed, the ESPN app displayed a static image:

There was no on-screen promo pushing me to the next best program, no transition to the next game, and no reduction of the viewing window to show the homepage or a tile pack of suggested titles. As a long-time subscriber of ESPN+ and a user of the ESPN app, I found this experience frustrating. One can only imagine how a new subscriber, attracted to the platform for the first time by the NCAAW tournament, might feel.

I’m not picking on the Worldwide Leader, however. Every Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service struggles with transitioning from live events to on-demand content.

In recent weeks, I’ve pondered the new sports subscriber experience. I’ve had discussions about a project to understand how to engage new customers of a premium streaming service who signed up during a major sporting event. I proposed a study exploring viewer appetite, interests, and behavioral patterns. This research could inform programming, promotional tactics, and merchandising. My goal was to identify and establish optimal routines for exploration, content diversity, and frequency that could be introduced before these likely single-purpose users canceled or became inactive.

 We weren’t on the same page.

“I want to know what they’ll want to watch three months later,” the potential client said.

“You won’t have the opportunity,” I replied.

Netflix might have the “champagne problem” of considering future viewing patterns for new subscribers gained from live events. According to Antenna, although they are relatively new to the live sports arena, its one-month retention for new subscribers from the Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight night was better than the industry standard. Most of their competition, however, isn’t as fortunate. If your service has not encouraged sports subscribers to sample anything beyond the games or leagues they initially signed up for by the time that event concludes, your chances of re-engaging them later are slim.

These subscribers will likely cancel or disengage from your platform until the next season or event. You might win them back when the event returns, but trying to predict their consumption habits three months later without laying the groundwork during the initial onboarding is unrealistic.

Back to March Madness. ESPN provides at least four different ways to watch the Final Four games. You would only discover this by exploring the app. There was promotion for the Taurasi & Bird alt-cast during event programming and on socials, but not for the other options. I noticed fans on Threads wishing they could watch the game without commentary, just statistics. There was a feed for that, but they didn’t know where to find it, even while watching the game in one of the Disney-owned apps. ESPN never promoted their ongoing shoulder content on other channels after the games ended. ESPN frequently failed to recommend their women’s basketball programming library throughout the season.

No, most frequently, I get “Your Event Has Ended” or “Your Event Will Return Shortly” (and by shortly, they mean 10-15 minutes).

Linear live events pose challenges, but doing nothing shouldn’t be an option.

Do you have an “always-on” channel to transition viewers? What hinders smart switching from one live event to another relevant program in progress? Can you tease clickable alternate programming during events, especially during downtime? Would running house ads instead of the end card be feasible? Could you limit the time of end cards and eventually close the video window, redirecting viewers back to the homepage or displaying recommendations?

A static image or, worse, a complete blackout at the end of the program will not entice most users to continue watching.

You must train your audience to navigate your app and discover its complementary content.

Sports subscribers intentionally come for their favorite sport, team, or a specific game/match/event they find significant. Once that need is satisfied, it’s easy for them to unsubscribe. This is why every broadcast network uses sports to promote its other programming, and the Super Bowl often transitions directly into a show that is expected to appeal to the largest audience.

SVODs continue to neglect this issue at their own risk.

“Your Event Has Ended.”

Yup, and so could my subscription.

Juju Watkins using a white towel to wipe sweat from her brow.

March 25, 2025 / 0 Comments

What it takes

Gatorade’s 2025 March Madness campaign is called “The Take.” It begins with Juju Watkins sharing her thoughts on what she has given to the game and contemplating what she has taken from it.

I was at Galen Center when a player suffered a season-ending knee injury. In early September 2023, the Los Angeles Sparks were displaced from Crypto.com Arena due to a scheduling conflict and played against the Washington Mystics. Both teams were fighting to secure a playoff spot after disappointing seasons plagued by injuries. On that night, there would be one more. We sat courtside when Kristi Toliver went down right in front of us. She writhed in pain, screaming and crying, while the arena fell silent.

I reflected on that moment as I watched a similar incident happen to Juju Watkins during the USC Trojans’ second-round game of this year’s NCAA tournament under those same lights. Despite having tickets, we weren’t in Galen last night. I’m glad we chose not to go. I’d rather not have the shrieks of another beloved player etched into my mind.

Injuries suck.

Throughout the season, I have admired Juju’s resilience. She frequently absorbs contact during games, showcasing a remarkable ability to stay balanced, square to the basket, and focused even after being bumped. It is part of the special sauce that makes her an elite scorer. However, these attributes also make her a high-usage player, rarely leaving the court and with the ball often in her hands. This combination proved problematic in the early minutes of a physical game against Mississippi State. Sadly, what she gave last night was her knee.

Paige Bueckers is also featured in that Gatorade ad. She understands what Juju is going through right now. Having endured the surgery, the long recovery, the return to play, the bouts of self-doubt, the adjustments, the heartache, and frustration, she is now once again playing at an elite level.

What does it take to return to a sport you love, especially when it has also caused you immense suffering? The physical demands are one aspect; the mental challenges are another. How tough must you be to return to a court and trust your body again?

This is one of many reasons I’m not an elite athlete.

We all face challenges, though, and these moments in sports remind us that, even if it requires everything we have, we must rise again.

That’s what it takes.

See you soon, Ms. Watkins.

January 13, 2025 / 2 Comments

Crimson Skies and Hot Hands

The Wildfires have disrupted sports in the city all week. The Lakers and Clippers have postponed games (though they resume home play tonight). The Rams shuttled fans to Glendale, Arizona, for their relocated wildcard game. College basketball is no different. Northwestern didn’t make the trip west. The Bruins will play Penn State in Long Beach instead of at Pauley Pavillion on Wednesday, as Westwood is just outside of one of the evacuation warning zones.

But on Sunday, on what felt like our first day of respite from the flames, Juju Watkins was on fire. The Galen Center was only about half full and not nearly as raucous as it has been for most home games this season but the women of Troy didn’t seem to notice or care. They continued their winning streak, leaning on their two elite stars, who combined for 68 of their 95 points. Those who attended appreciated the efforts and there were smiles, high-fives, and hugs as a little bit of LA came together to cheer and celebrate.

Trojans games continue to feel like Sparks games. DJ Mal-Ski’s playlist and shtick don’t deviate much from what he does at Crypto, aside from fun interactions with the USC band. Familiar faces of Sparks 24/7 members are dotted around the arena. The Trojan fan base is very familial; The proximity to South LA and the deep ties between the current roster and their alums to the blacker parts of this city make it similar to the long-time fan base of our WNBA team.

Much like our first in-person Sparks games in 2021, it was so lovely to see the women’s sports friends we’ve come to cherish so much over the last decade. We might be from all over the county, but these are our neighbors. This is our community.

Once again, the church of basketball didn’t disappoint.

November 28, 2024 / 0 Comments

Grateful

Let’s be real: it’s been a shitty year.

And yet, I am grateful. The sun is shining. There is breath in my lungs. My legs work. I have a roof over my head. I have food in my fridge. There is love, laughter, and light in my life everywhere I look.

I give thanks to the medical professionals who cared for me this year through shingles and a ruptured appendix. I’m grateful for those who showed compassion and kindness for my father in his final days.

I’m grateful for sports, especially women’s basketball. I haven’t done a complete count, but I may have attended over 50 sporting events this year, spanning the NCAAWBB, WNBA, NWSL, NFL, and NCAAWVB in three states. Sports have brought new friends into my life and deepened my connection with people I’ve known for years. They deliver joy when desperately needed and never fail to surprise and delight. Thank you.

I’m grateful for family, friends, and colleagues who stepped up when my chips were down.

I’m grateful for my mom and sister as we grieve separately and together. They lift me up.

And then there’s Tiffany, the love of my life, my person, my partner, who has been, well, everything over the last 12 months.