Jeff Goldberg compares current WNBA growth to the struggles of the 1970s NBA

Long-time basketball reporter Jeff Goldberg characterizes the current WNBA at 30 as being in a stronger position than the NBA was at a similar stage of its history. While the WNBA faces documented growing pains and controversies, Goldberg notes the league is managing a surge in popularity rather than fighting for basic relevance. He contrasts this with the NBA in the late 1970s, a period marked by plummeting ratings and image challenges that necessitated tape-delayed broadcasts for playoff games. The current WNBA trajectory benefits from a generation of young stars capable of attracting and retaining new audiences. Goldberg suggests that while the league navigates significant hurdles, its development path differs from the NBA, which required the arrivals of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan to reach global status. The league must now translate this heightened attention into sustainable, long-term growth.

• 4:50 PMYahoo Sports — “Darkest Period For NBA”: Jeff Goldberg Explains Why WNBA Has A Brighter Future