The WNBA has seen a massive boost in popularity over the past couple of years. 2024 projects to be another big season for the league. Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale has played in the WNBA since 2019, and she recently shared her thoughts on the league's emerging popularity.

“I think there's a lot happening from my rookie year until now,” Ogunbowale said, via Sara Jane Gamelli of Ballislife.com. “There's a big difference in everything–More media, more interest in watching our games and sell outs. You see great players coming in and that's just the cycle of basketball, cycle of life. We honor the people that left– there's new people coming in. It's fresh and it's good for the league.”

The WNBA is expanding to San Francisco in 2025, and it was recently announced that Toronto would become the home to an expansion team in 2026. The expansion is a sign of growth. Another sign is the fact that the league is set to begin charter flights for WNBA teams.

“I think everybody knows how important this is, as a professional athlete,” Ogunbowale said of the charter flights, via Gamelli as well. “A lot of us came from really good schools. We've been traveling, four years in college, traveling private. Just the lifestyle having that finally be up to par and you don't have to be at the airport three hours earlier, worrying about random cancellations. It's been a long time coming, but we're super grateful and excited for it.”

The league's all-around increasing popularity is encouraging. The Wings specifically have seen an immense amount of growth in that department as well.

WNBA's growing popularity positively impacting Dallas Wings

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Fever at College Park Center.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Wings sold out their preseason game against the Indiana Fever. It was a highly-anticipated affair that saw Arike Ogunbowale and Dallas defeat Caitlin Clark and Indiana by a final score of 79-76.

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It was also announced that the Wings' first two home games of the regular season on May 15 and May 18 are sold out. Both games will be played against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, and fans are clearly excited for the start of the 2024 WNBA campaign.

Player marketing is also an important element of growing a sport's popularity. The NBA has done a terrific job of this, with superstars such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry reaching celebrity status. The WNBA is also doing an impressive job with their marketing.

For the Wings, Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally have certainly made names for themselves. They are two of the best players in the league. Sabally will miss the first part of the '24 season due to injury, however.

Nevertheless, the Wings are still confident heading into the new season. Popularity is great, but Dallas' primary goal is to win a championship. They reached the WNBA playoffs a season ago. The Wings would love nothing more than to take another step forward.

With Ogunbowale leading the way and Sabally expected to return in August, perhaps Dallas can make a deep playoff run. The Wings feature the talent and potential without question.

Of course, winning will only help to further increase the team's popularity.