<p><span class="p-body">In 1996, the NBA Board of Governors approved the launch of the Women's National Basketball Association’s (WNBA's) inaugural 1997 season. By the league's 2023 season, the WNBA had its most-watched regular season in over 20 years and its highest total attendance in thirteen years. For her Capstone Project, MS in Sports Business graduate Alexis Jamison charted the rise in popularity of the WNBA in its 25-plus-year history and explored possible venues for the organization's continued expansion.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">With interest in women’s sports growing nationally in the US and international engagement with WNBA content coming from major potential markets like India, Canada, the UK, and Japan, Jamison posits that the WNBA should look to expand across at least seven additional cities over the next 10–15 years to strengthen their viewership and heighten engagement both domestically and internationally. </span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Jamison makes the case for continued domestic expansion in order to create opportunities for more domestic and international players to bring additional viewership and revenue to the league, which could pave the way for international North American expansion.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Jamison's project examines strategies that could help the WNBA to:</span></p> <p></p><ul class="p-list"> <li><span class="p-body">Improve financial stability</span></li> <li><span class="p-body">Expand their franchises</span></li> <li><span class="p-body">Increase revenues via strengthened business strategies</span></li> </ul> <p></p>

<p><span class="p-body"><a href="/content/sps-nyu/experience/how-youll-learn/consulting-practicums.html">NYU School of Professional Studies’ Capstone Program</a> provides graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in complex, real-world environments. The final product exemplifies the volume and depth of theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom. Held each spring, the annual Capstone Fair features projects that embody the School's innovative spirit. We invite students graduating in the spring, fall, and summer graduates to participate. Students apply via form, and faculty can nominate individuals or teams.</span></p>