“That’s been my frustration”: 3x national champ Dawn Staley shares discontentment with slow progress of women’s basketball

Dawn Staley has been an influential figure in women's basketball dominating the game as a player and now as a coach. However, she acknowledges that the game still has a long way to go in terms of recognition and resources.

Forbes revealed the 50 over 50 list on August 1, featuring Dawn Staley, the three-time NCAA national champion coach of the University of South Carolina women's basketball team. During a summit interview with Forbes' Maggie McGrath, Staley was asked how much money have they lost by not investing in women's sports until these last few years.

"Well, I think that's been my frustration, as the years have gone by where we don't capitalize," Staley told McGrath. "I don't understand why people think we can't be a billion dollar industry. We can be and people are seeing it now. We're very popular. It's probably not too late, but a little late if you're really trying to get a return on your investment."

A recent report by Klarna states that the women's sports merchandise market is worth about four billion dollars this year. This number shows the huge potential that has been ignored for a long time. It has only been a few years since the rapid growth and recognition of women’s basketball.

This surge in popularity is a testament to the hard work and dedication of individuals, such as Dawn Staley, who have contributed to the sport over the past three decades.

---

Dawn Staley reflects on women's basketball momentum

Dawn Staley's contribution to women's basketball is unparalleled. She has uplifted the game through her sheer talent for all these years and has experienced the evolution of women's basketball firsthand.

"What I make of the movement of women's basketball is this, I do believe we've been held back for a very long time and now it's on we're like bottlenecking it," Staley said [via Forbes].

"We're trying to get to the top and get as many eyeballs on our game and people are clamoring. They're clamoring to watch. They're clamoring to be in attendance, they're buying probably, we don't even notice, but record amounts of apparel and clothing. I just think it's been on the rise for so long now it's uncontrollable."

In addition to her professional career, Staley dedicates her time advocating for a humanitarian cause. She established the Dawn Staley Foundation, which focuses on promoting and supporting basketball leagues and organizing various fundraising events.