“If there’s no competition, you’re not gonna throw millions of dollars”: When $12 million worth Dawn Staley said something “ESPN might not like”
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley once called for more competition when it comes to TV rights for women's basketball. With a net worth of around $12 million (per Celebrity Net Worth), it's safe to say that what Dawn Staley says matters, especially to a titan of the industry like ESPN.
Sitting down with Eddie Gonzalez on "The ETCs" in November 2023, Staley discussed the need for more networks competing to broadcast the women's game.
"We need more networks that compete for our talents," Staley said. "I don't know if that's happening, but I hope it's happening in the near future because our television deal is up with ... women's basketball with ESPN, and ESPN's done a great job giving us a platform to grow to take us where we are now."
Speaking directly about the possibility of ESPN not liking what she's about to say, Staley continued to drum home her point.
"I've said this (before) and they probably don't like that I say this, but we need other networks to show our worth and to show ESPN our worth," Staley said. "ESPN knows our worth, but if there's no competition, you're not going to throw millions, hundreds of millions of dollars in our sport if nobody's competing for us in that space.
"So I just want... to drum up the competition and... if we're still with ESPN, great. They've been with us for a very long time, you know, but it doesn't work without competition."
Watch her full interview below.
Dawn Staley advocates for "more networks" competing for broadcasting rights for women's basketball
Dawn Staley’s rise from the Raymond Rosen housing projects in North Philadelphia to a basketball legend shows her lifelong commitment to elevating and lifting the women's game.
“Women’s basketball is bursting through the seams,” she told Gonzalez. “This is the best time to be playing our sport.”
Throughout her career, Staley has experienced firsthand the challenges of visibility in women’s basketball. Balancing her playing career with coaching at Temple, she helped turn that program around while advocating for greater recognition of women’s sports.
Today, she still champions the need for more networks to compete for broadcasting rights for women’s basketball. She believes that increased coverage is crucial to growing the game, empowering players and ensuring they receive the visibility and support they deserve.