How to Get WNBA Jobs: A Quick Guide

If you’re interested in women’s basketball, there’s good news for you. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is booming in 2024, with more and more people following the league. New fans, new stars, and premium broadcast placements are all contributing to the rise in popularity. With so much excitement surrounding the WNBA, it’s expected to continue growing. You may be wondering how you can join the WNBA and what job opportunities are available to you. Let’s dive in and discuss WNBA jobs.

The WNBA’s Rise in Popularity

The WNBA had an average viewership of less than 500,000 prior to this year. It has more than doubled, with an average of 1,400,000 viewers. It’s an impressive achievement, partly thanks to rookies like Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Angel Reese. Clark alone brought in 2,100,000 million viewers during her debut game. Then there are people like Jenny Taft, who rose in the ranks of sports broadcasting, and Chasity Melvin, who has made a name for herself as an assistant coach. And that’s just in women’s basketball. Women’s sports are growing in demand overall, and the growth isn’t expected to stop anytime soon.

What Job Opportunities Are Available in the WNBA?

If you’re looking to get involved in the WNBA but don’t possess an athletic bone in your body, that’s OK. There are still plenty of opportunities for you, including league jobs and team jobs. Types of WNBA career opportunities include: 

• Videographer 
• General manager
• Operations manager
• Marketing director
• Product analytics analyst
• Broadcast operations manager
• Graphics manager
• Head of event management
• Account executive
• Live programming and entertainment mascot 
• Guest services supervisor
• Project employee
• Physical therapist
• Athletic trainer
• Nutritionist/dietitian 
• Sports reporter
• Strength coach
• Sports medicine and athletic performance expert
• Media, communications, and digital content specialist
   

Skills You Need to Work in the WNBA

If you’re looking to get your foot in the door and work at one of the jobs in the WNBA, you’ll have to possess the right skills. Which ones you need will depend on the position you’re applying for. However, there are a few basic skills that will help you in securing any WNBA position, including: 

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written 
• Interpersonal skills 
• Project management skills
• Creative and strategic thinking
• Time management 
• Adaptability

Being a self-starter with a positive and team-oriented attitude will also help you in getting a job in the WNBA. You need to show that you are willing to listen, learn, and share your ideas while also accepting feedback and critique from others. Plus, you should be able to handle pressure and work in a fast-paced environment. 

Above all else, you should exhibit these three traits to succeed in the sports industry: 

• Curiosity
• Coachability
• Competitiveness
   

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5 Tips to Get a Job in the WNBA

If you want to get a job in the WNBA but are unsure of where to start, these five tips can help you.

1. Attend the Games

First and most importantly, to get a job in the WNBA, you need to be prepared. You need to learn what you can about the people you want to work for and with. And the best way to do that is by going to games. When you attend the games, you get to experience firsthand the magic behind the WNBA – watching amazing women athletes compete. 

Not only that, but you get to network and make connections. You may even have the chance to approach those who already work in the WNBA, whether that be directors or managers or team members themselves. It’s a great way to put yourself out there.

2. Go to Networking Events

Next, you should look for local networking events. Did you know the WNBA has special events open to fans and the public? One event is called WNBA Live, where you can go and do meet-and-greets with WNBA stars and participate in shoot-arounds, games, and interactive activities. It’s the perfect opportunity to network and meet those already involved in the WNBA. 

Another way to network is by joining fantasy women’s basketball teams. 

It’s important that you build a strong sports network, and by attending sports-related events, you can do just that. Also, don’t forget to use social media to reach out to those involved in the sports world.

3. Apply to Volunteer Opportunities

If money isn’t a pressing issue right now and you have free time, you might consider volunteering for the WNBA. You can serve in positions on national committees or work on marketing teams. It’s a great way to gain some experience and meet the right people, and it’ll look good on your resume, too. 

4. Focus on a Specialization

No one can do it all, and it’s better to focus on a specialization than to spread yourself thin trying to juggle multiple roles. The WNBA has so many roles beyond sports and coaching. If you have any experience in event planning, marketing, graphic design, public relations, or broadcasting, for example, focus on one of these. 

5. Gain Relevant Experience

Lacking experience can hurt you when applying for the WNBA. Even entry-level roles may require at least some experience. So, take a year or two and focus on gaining experience relevant to the WNBA job you want. If you’re interested in marketing, try to get an entry-level marketing position. You could also try gaining experience in graphic design, which could help you obtain a job as a media, communications, and digital content specialist. Don’t be afraid to do some contract or temporary work for businesses just to build up your portfolio. Even creating your own sports-themed podcast could be beneficial.

You could also look into WNBA internships, which are positions for students and trainees. Internships could be full time or part time, and if you choose the latter option, you would still have time to work another job and gain other relevant experience.

Securing Your Place in the WNBA

The WNBA’s popularity is likely to continue to rise in the future. If you’re ready to join in on the excitement, explore WNBA jobs today. You can also check out WorkInSports’ Resource Center for more guidance on landing your dream job in the sports industry.