“They raised about $75 million dollars”: When $12 million worth Dawn Staley praised WNBA president for helping women’s basketball
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is an advocate for women's basketball and is always proud to see the WNBA thriving. Staley commented on the WNBA's $75 million capital raise in February 2022, applauding WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for her efforts.
The three-time national champion coach appeared on Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM in April 2022, where she discussed the WNBA's growth and promotion in recent years with Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee and DJ Envy.
"I think that the attendance is on the rise, and I think people are watching the WNBA as well. It's more of... I think it's TV," Dawn Staley said (34:28). "You got to tell the story. There are some great things happening within the league, but you have to market it that way. You have to promote it that way."
"I think the president of the WNBA is doing a great job. They actually raised about $75 million over the past year. That says a lot. The league is in a place where it's marketable. What they do with the $75 million, I don't know, but hopefully, it is putting some more money in the players' pockets."
Cathy Engelbert has been the WNBA commissioner since 2019. She has made huge strides in growing the league's commercial appeal. The $75 million raised was a major milestone that showed investors' confidence in the league's future.
Dawn Staley shares this year's Christmas plan
Dawn Staley's No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks grabbed another win at home on Thursday, improving to 11-1 on the season. They beat Charleston Southern 82-46 in front of over 15,000 fans at Colonial Life Arena.
After the win, Staley was asked about her plans for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
"When I leave this arena, I have nothing to do – like, nothing," she said. "I need to go to the gas station, pump gas and do nothing. I actually got a shop there too, so, I won’t be able to do that until Sunday, Monday and half of Tuesday because I got to go recruiting tomorrow."
Dawn Staley and her team are scheduled to have a short Christmas break with no games till Dec. 29, when they host Wofford in their last nonconference tune-up before SEC play starts.
The Gamecocks head into the new year with a lot of momentum. They have defeated top opponents like No. 21 NC State, Iowa State, No. 9 Duke and No. 12 TCU. Their only loss came against No. 1 UCLA on Nov. 24.