Since the WNBA was founded in 1996, the league has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, fueled by a new generation of stars led in part by Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson.
Alongside Wilson, recent draftees Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese rank among the league’s most marketable players based on factors including brand partnerships, social media presence, search interest and on-court performance.
Leading up to this weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game, Wilson ranks just outside the top three in the recently released Covers Marketability Index, but sits second in recognition based on on-court performance, trailing only Clark.
That ranking could soon change as Wilson continues to expand her reach beyond basketball, appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair’s first-ever sports issue, gracing the iconic Wheaties box and starring in ESPN’s upcoming docuseries, “Life in the W.”
While Wilson’s strong brand partnerships keep her among the league’s most marketable players, lower social media engagement and search interest leave her just outside the top three in the index, according to Covers. She still ranks ahead of fellow WNBA stars Sabrina Ionescu, Sophie Cunningham and former Aces guard Kelsey Plum.
The four-time league MVP was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft.
Wilson and “Team Spoon,” which also features Clark, Olivia Miles and Jessica Shepard among others, will face “Team Coop,” led by Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper, in the WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 at the United Center in Chicago.
