The world of professional basketball is thriving through increased viewer engagement, marketing and television. The separate leagues in the United States share a common theme of providing fans with basketball games to watch. The NBA season is midway through what is shaping up to be a historic season for fans everywhere. 

The Milwaukee Bucks won the in-season tournament and are seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference. The WNBA season starts on May 16 and features three matches. The WNBA also has exciting news for Portland basketball fans as they announced a new franchise coming to Portland! 

The NBA’s 2024-2025 season is shaping up to be a record-breaking season. Oklahoma City has one of the best records in recent memory, being 35-7 and projected to be 70-14 at the end of the season. Star players like Nikola Jokić from the Denver Nuggets and Luka Dončić are also putting on a show on their respective teams. Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP is averaging a staggering 30 points per game, the third-highest average in the league. 

The NBA is also bringing in talent from other countries, including Jokić, but also Victor Wembanyama, a 21-year-old center from France. Wembanyama is one of the most exciting players to watch and impresses fans with his height and wingspan.

The WNBA also celebrated a record-breaking 2024 season with stars like Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Lonescu stealing the show. The WNBA also recorded record-breaking attendance and viewership. The Las Vegas Aces won the last three WNBA championships, led by star player A’ja Wilson. The WNBA also has been a platform for change, advocating for gender equality and promoting voter registration. 

The WNBA’s new playoff format and TV deals are exciting, as it shows that the league is growing and becoming an influence in the sports world. Another sign of the league’s growing influence is the addition of three new teams, located in Portland, San Francisco and Toronto. These new teams will provide more opportunities for sponsorships and TV deals.