Women's Sports Breakthrough at ESPYs
· news
The New Normal: Women’s Sports Breaks Through to Mainstream Recognition
The recent ESPY Awards have brought attention to a long-overdue trend: women’s sports finally receiving the recognition they deserve. Alysa Liu’s win as Best Breakthrough Athlete, following in the footsteps of Olympic skier Eileen Gu and LSU basketball star Angel Reese, marks a significant shift in public perception.
Historically, men dominated the Best Breakthrough Athlete Award, with only one female winner between 1993 and 2021: Mo’ne Davis, the Little League pitching phenom. From 1993 to 2021, male athletes accounted for 82.9% of nominees and 96.4% of winners. However, since 2022, female athletes have made up nearly half (45%) of all nominees – a 163% increase from the previous era.
The landmark Supreme Court ruling on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights has opened doors for women’s sports to grow and flourish. Revenue from women’s collegiate sports increased at a rate four times that of men’s sports since 2022-2024, according to Opendorse. Professional leagues like the WNBA and NWSL are also experiencing record growth, with ESPN’s 2025 WNBA coverage delivering its most-watched regular season and postseason ever.
Americans consumed 46 billion minutes of women’s sports in 2025 alone – a 71% increase from 2022. The women’s Olympic hockey gold-medal game drew a record-setting average of 5.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen. Global women’s elite sports revenue reached $1.88 billion in 2024, up from $692 million just two years earlier.
The growth is undeniable, but it also raises questions about what this means for the future of women’s sports. Will we see more female athletes breaking through to mainstream recognition? What impact will NIL have on the industry as a whole?
Women like Alysa Liu, Eileen Gu, and Angel Reese are not just exceptional athletes; they’re symbols of a larger movement. The rise of women’s sports is a testament to the power of collective effort and determination.
Pete Giorgio, Deloitte Global Sports practice leader, noted, “We’re witnessing a transformational movement in women’s sports – what was once seen as potential is now a thriving, billion-dollar industry.” This shift is not just about numbers or revenue; it’s about creating a more inclusive and equitable space for female athletes to compete and thrive.
The ESPY Awards may have been the catalyst for this recognition, but they’re also a reflection of a broader cultural shift. As women’s sports continue to grow and gain momentum, one thing is clear: everyone is finally watching – and recognizing – the stars behind the scores.
Reader Views
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The surge in recognition for women's sports is more than just a fleeting trend – it's a seismic shift in cultural and economic momentum. But beneath the surface lies a crucial challenge: how will this newfound visibility translate into sustained investment and infrastructure development? Specifically, what measures are being taken to ensure that grassroots programs and emerging talent pipelines receive adequate support, rather than solely focusing on high-profile exceptions like the Olympics or top-tier collegiate sports?
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The ESPYs' recognition of women's sports is long overdue, but let's not lose sight of the elephant in the room: equitable compensation. While revenue from women's collegiate sports has increased, we can't ignore that female athletes still lag behind their male counterparts in pay and sponsorship opportunities. The NIL ruling may have opened doors for growth, but it's crucial to ensure that these gains are sustainable and benefit the athletes themselves, not just their colleges or leagues.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The ESPYs' sudden shift in favor of women's sports is undoubtedly a step forward, but let's not forget that mainstream recognition comes with its own set of challenges. As women like Alysa Liu and Angel Reese bask in the spotlight, they'll soon discover that sponsorship opportunities and media attention can be just as demanding as their athletic pursuits. It's time to consider the infrastructure supporting these newly minted stars: will the revenue generated by women's sports trickle down to the grassroots level, or will it only fuel a select few?