New York Liberty and Australian Opals head coach, Sandy Brondello encouraged young girls to dream big at our International Women's Day event.
View video transcript
I would like to speak to you now about we know that the conversations about women's sport really matter and it shapes the way that we see ourselves and engaging in it, and there has been no better examples of that than very recently here.
What impacts have you seen over your career on young girls or on everyone, for that matter, from the increase in visibility of women athletes in the media?
Look, I think if you can't see it, you can't be it.
So that's why the media is so important in propelling women's sport forward. I was just listening ‑ we got 20% at the moment, it's improved on the media, but it's still not enough. Especially in Australia.
You know in America it is changing. Obviously there is still a financial difference between our men and women's league but that's changing. These players also have their own shoe. They are getting their own shoe made. They are all on these commercials now. For me it's more like I think we're in Australia haven't quite got there yet although we have some amazing female champions.
‘Young girls can dare to dream because anything is possible.’
Those were the wise words of 2x WNBA Championship winning coach Sandy Brondello who joined us for our International Women’s Day event. You can watch a full replay of her interview on our Youtube channel.
Sandy and her New York Liberty side basked in championship glory last year with the team receiving plenty of media attention both for their on court performance and off court presence, thanks to their mascot Ellie the Elephant.
‘It is a real movement. You know, you see everybody watching, every watches women's sport. Well, it is true in the WNBA.’
The impact of the WNBA was felt across the board, recognised as the fastest-growing brand in the US, and the first time a sports league topped the Fastest Growing Brands List.
With the presence of generational players like Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu, increased visibility and strong broadcast contracts, women’s basketball was at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Helping shape who we see as heroes and role models in our society.
‘I think visibility is the most important thing.’
‘Young girls being able to see what they are capable of doing. I grew up on a sugar cane farm. I have to pinch myself at times to really believe now I'm coaching, I got to play in the Olympics now I am coaching an Olympic team and coaching in the biggest market in the world,’ Sandy explained.
The league has come a long way from where it was back in 1997, now with sell-out games andfans from all backgrounds coming together to celebrate the sport.
‘You have got to spend more to make more, and they (New York Liberty) certainly have. I think when they bought the team was value was quite low. Now it is valued over 440 million, something like that. So, it all pays off in the end.’
While progress has been made, there is still work to be done. Sandy reaffirmed that providing pathways and role models is essential for young girls to realise their potential and pursue their dreams in sports.
“I think if you can't see it, you can't be it. So that's why the media is so important in propelling women's sport forward,” Sandy emphasised.
Our latest research from The Conversation of Sport showed that coverage of women’s sport was up from 15% to 20% during 2023-24. But there is no denying that gender gap remains.
Men were 15 times more likely to comment on women's sport, then women were to comment on men’s sport. And the disparity on the coaching front for elite sports is still large with women only making up 9% of the cohort.
Although we are seeing positive trends in sports media coverage, there is still plenty of work to be done to ensure that all women and girls can be exposed to sports role models.
Page last updated: 7 March 2025
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