BERLIN (Germany) - The success of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 is proving to be a perfect example of why women's basketball is redefining growth, leadership, investment and impact across the global sports ecosystem. With some amazing games and action on the court, sold-out crowds and soaring engagement levels across various platforms, the momentum within the women's game is undeniable.
Now, the opportunity to continue building a lasting legacy and secure an even more exciting evolution during upcoming years provided the main thrust of discussion at the FIBA Women In Basketball Forum held in Berlin.
A welcome to delegates was given by Central Board Member, Chair of Players' Commission and FIBA Hall of Fame member, Dirk Nowitzki, with Central Board Member and Vice Chair of Players' Commission, Sonja Vasic also wrapping up the morning's discussions.
FIBA's Women In Basketball Strategic Priority
A keynote address was made by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, who reminded everyone of how FIBA’s strategic priority ‘Women in Basketball’ has been a driver for innovation, investment and global impact.
Two decades of evolution and the future
FIBA Global Ambassador of the Women's World Cup, FIBA Hall of Fame member and USA Basketball Managing Director Sue Bird led a session that reflected on the evolution of women's basketball. Specifically, how the experience, visibility and opportunities available to female athletes have transformed over the past two decades. She explored how the current momentum in women's basketball represents more than a temporary surge, exploring the structural changes helping drive sustained growth in audiences, investment and cultural relevance.
The discussion also covered the expanding influence of athletes beyond the court, including their roles as owners, investors, entrepreneurs, advocates, and storytellers shaping the future of the game. Discussions also focused on identifying the barriers and untapped opportunities that remain, particularly as women's basketball seeks to translate success in established markets into sustainable global growth.
Investment in women's hoops: From undervalued to unstoppable
Chairman of ALBA Berlin Axel Schweitzer and Owner of the New York Liberty and Brooklyn Nets Clara Wu Tsai, led a session on how investment in women's basketball has been transformed from being undervalued to unstoppable. The aim was to identify why women's basketball is increasingly being viewed as a high-growth investment opportunity and the key factors driving investor confidence. This included how investors evaluate opportunities and where the greatest value creation opportunities exist, plus what separates sustainable growth from short-term momentum. Also, identifying the strategic decisions that leagues, clubs, federations and commercial partners can make today to build a stronger and more investable women's basketball ecosystem.
Challenging conventional approaches and shaping a new chapter
Chair of WNBL Robyn Denholm and Chief Executive Officer TreeArchInvestment Group Victoria Denholm led a session on why women's basketball is one of the most compelling growth opportunities in global sport, what is required to build sustainable value, and how the next generation of leaders can unlock the sport's full potential. This incorporated signals that indicate women's basketball is entering a period of structural, long-term growth and drawing lessons from industries and businesses that have successfully navigated periods of rapid transformation. There was an exploration of where investment can have the greatest long-term impact, from elite competitions and commercial infrastructure to youth pathways, technology, digital engagement and athlete development. Consideration was also given to how the next generation will reshape the sport, particularly how younger audiences consume, engage with and build relationships with basketball differently.
Understanding the audience shaping the future of sport
Speakers including GM & VP Global Basketball Nike Karie Conner; Chief of Women's World Rugby Sally Horrox and Head of Channel & Content Strategy, and ProSieben Maxx Seven One Entertainment Group GmbH Ellen Koch delivered a session on how audiences are shaping the future of sport and particularly the fan experience.
This incorporated an understanding of why audiences are becoming increasingly attractive to brands, sponsors, broadcasters and rights holders, and what makes these fan communities one of the most compelling growth opportunities in sport today. They explored changing behaviors, consumer expectations and cultural trends reshaping the commercial value proposition of women's basketball and sport - as well as what leading brands, media companies and sports organizations are seeing that's driving increased investment, sponsorship, marketing and content commitments. They spoke about organizations moving beyond transactional engagement to build long-term fan relationships, stronger communities and more valuable commercial partnerships - plus important priorities for attracting and retaining the next generation of fans and converting audience growth into sustainable commercial value.
Evolution of the media landscape and women's basketball
CEO DAZN Group Shay Segev, joined Non-Executive Director Genius Sports Claire Valoti, and Executive Director of Sport European Broadcasting Union Glen Killane, to lead on the evolution of the current media landscape.
This gave an understanding of how the media ecosystem for women's basketball is evolving, and how broadcasters, streaming platforms, technology partners and social channels can complement rather than compete with one another in driving audience growth. The session explored how women's basketball can win in an increasingly competitive attention economy by improving audience discovery, engagement and year-round relevance. Particularly how athlete-driven storytelling, creator culture and multi-platform content ecosystems are reshaping the relationship between fans and sport.
Momentum to Mainstream: Turning progress into lasting impact
Global Ambassador for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, FIBA Hall of Famer and Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission Pau Gasol wrapped up the Forum with an overview discussion of how women's sport is at a tipping point, with growing investment, expanding audiences and increasing cultural relevance.
Reflecting on the extensive and exciting discussion throughout the Forum, attendees considered how athletes, leaders and organizations can work together to turn momentum into lasting progress to ensure the next generation inherits a stronger, more equitable sporting landscape.
The morning session concluded with insights from H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, on the evolving sports landscape as Doha prepares to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. FIBA