Elena Delle Donne participated in the inaugural Shooting Stars competition at the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, where she helped Team Washington claim victory alongside Shakira Austin and high school prospect Jezelle “GG” Banks. Banks, who attends Delle Donne’s former high school in Wilmington, Delaware, hit the championship-clinching shot in the event held as part of the league’s season-long 30th anniversary celebration.
Delle Donne reflected on the substantial transformations the WNBA has experienced in the years since her retirement. The league has expanded to 15 teams with three additional franchises planned, implemented a new collective bargaining agreement featuring significantly increased player salaries, and demonstrated markedly improved attendance figures. Nine of the league’s current 15 teams are now averaging at least 10,000 fans per game, with three exceeding 15,000 per game, a dramatic shift from earlier in the league’s history when no teams consistently drew that level of attendance.
Delle Donne credited her own decision to remain in the United States and focus on building the league’s marketability rather than pursuing lucrative overseas opportunities. She emphasized her efforts as a rookie to develop a signature shoe and establish a recognizable brand, despite facing significant challenges. She attributed much of the league’s current success to the collective commitment of players who prioritized the league’s long-term sustainability during its more precarious early years.
All-Star Weekend activities highlighted the league’s elevated profile, with the Shooting Stars competition and the 3-Point Contest attracting large crowds at Wintrust Arena. The upcoming All-Star Game is scheduled for a sold-out United Center with capacity exceeding 20,000 people. Shakira Austin, who previously played alongside Delle Donne in Washington, emphasized the importance of continuing to advocate for improved conditions and greater investment in women’s sports, suggesting that future collective bargaining negotiations would bring additional transformational changes to the league.
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