Both the WNBA and NBA are unique in their successes. Originating in 1949, the NBA is a much older league than the WNBA. Therefore, it not accurate to compare the two leagues currently. The NBA is evidently more popular than the WNBA at this point in time and the WNBA has had some struggles of it's own. However, when comparing the popularity of the NBA when it was just as old as the WNBA now, the WNBA is more popular and more successful. (Agha and Berri) The WNBA has had some struggles in terms of media coverage, sponsorship oppurunities, and overall viewership compared to the NBA. There has been a large discrepancy on the resources and financial support avaliable to the two leagues. However, it is of great importance to recognize how much tremendous progress the WNBA has made over the years. There has been an increase in attendance, TV viewership, and fan engagement. The WNBA has played a vital role in promoting gender equality in sports and empowering female athletes. There has even been a growing support from popular NBA athletes towards the WNBA. The late Kobe Bryant expressed his support for the WNBA regularly by attending games with his daughter Gianna and voicing his encouraging thoughts about women's basketball. He even told ESPN that he could see women's players playing in the same league as men in the future.(“How Kobe Bryant championed growth of women's basketball through Mamba Cup and more”)