The Sports Media Podcast WNBA All-Star Game rewind, Snap’s Anmol Malhotra and Joe Hand Promotions’ Joe Hand Jr.
Jul 24, 2025
Anmol Malhotra, Global Head of Sports Partnerships at Snap, discusses how the platform is revolutionizing fan engagement through innovative content and augmented reality. Joe Hand Jr., President of Joe Hand Promotions, shares insights on the evolving pay-per-view landscape and its impact on live sports. Rachel Axon breaks down the WNBA All-Star weekend, highlighting the league's cultural significance and the push for fairer player contracts. The conversation also touches on the collaboration between Barstool Sports and Fox Sports, and the challenges networks face in attracting younger audiences.
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WNBA All-Star's Cultural Surge
- The 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis was the biggest the league has ever seen, with huge fan engagement and 25 brand activations at the Fan Fest.
- WNBA is breaking through culturally, boosting the sport's relevance and visibility beyond just game highlights.
WNBA Ratings and Cultural Strength
- Despite a 36% dip in televised WNBA All-Star game ratings without Caitlin Clark, the second-best viewership ever shows sustained interest.
- The league's cultural relevance and engagement remain strong, supported by new CBA discussions and fan enthusiasm beyond one star player.
Harness Fan Support for CBA
- Fans can play a key role in supporting CBA negotiations by showing visible support like buying licensed merchandise and chanting at games.
- Fan engagement might be a turning point to help players secure better pay and conditions.