When Cowboys legend Michael Irvin gets hyped, you know something big’s going down. Recently, Irvin couldn’t stop singing praises for the WNBA and it’s blazing ascent. And guess who’s at the center of his admiration? A’ja Wilson. The Big D’s star ain’t just impressed; he’s fired up about the game-changing growth of women’s basketball and its breakout star. 

During an all-exclusive Essentially Sports interview on BG12 with Brandon Guttmann II, Irvin talked about how far the WNBA has come. “What I love hearing right here is talk about, you got to hear those names, Jason Tatum, LeBron James, and A’ja Wilson. That’s the WNBA. She’s equipped. She’s with the giants right there,” he asserted. The Dallas’ legend and sports commentator’s words didn’t just highlight A’Ja Wilson’s growing portfolio; they put the whole league on notice. 

But let’s rewind for a second. The chat kicked off with a real sizzle—literally. The interviewer brought up Irvin’s BBQ flavor collab with Jason Tatum, and Irvin quickly pivoted. He dove into how branding and partnerships are the game-changers in today’s sports world. Then, the Gatorade rep chimed in, hyping up how the brand’s making big moves across the board, from the NBA to the WNBA and everything in between. “We’re very fortunate. We have other brand leaders to have strong relationships with these professional organizations, such as the MBA, the WNBA, and the NFL. We are in a great position, and we have great partnerships in place that help us keep secured.”

When asked about how personalities like Caleb Williams influence partnerships, the rep doubled down on the brand’s focus, saying, “I mentioned brand fit. So yes, we have to look at personality. How an athlete represents themselves on social media. We’re looking at what other partnerships they have. Like I mentioned, sometimes price can be prohibitive of that, so really just focusing on what we want to represent as a brand. Jason Tatum does it very well.”

Irvin, however, took it up a notch by throwing the spotlight on A’ja Wilson. “You know, I was talking with Rory here earlier about the growth of the WNBA. It’s fascinating. When I hear stuff like this, I’m blown away,” he continued. He further reminisced about the days when women’s basketball games had scores that barely made double digits. “I was in high school, coming in early because I was playing varsity, and we had to watch the girls play. The game would be 11-5. And I’m just, man, oof, it’s just hard to watch. The whole court is 11-5, but it’s grown so much now. It’s just incredible. I watch it. I’m moved by it.”

The Big D legend’s excitement ain’t just hot air, as WNBA has seen massive growth—talks of $50 million and $200 million TV deals are floating around. The league’s visibility and marketability are skyrocketing, and stars like A’ja Wilson are a big reason why. For Irvin, this is more than just a moment. It’s a movement. “I’m so happy for them because it gives us something to talk about now, in all seasons, when my sport is down. We get to talk about more things like the WNBA. So, I mean, it’s incredible,” he shared during the Essentially Sports exclusive interview segment. It’s clear that the 58-year-old sees the WNBA not just as another league but as a powerhouse rising alongside the NFL and NBA.

Michael Irvin wrapped up his praise with a nod to Gatorade and others supporting the WNBA’s rise: “I just want to applaud you guys for jumping in and helping boost that. I wish I could take more credit for it. But I will send you a message. You’re doing a phenomenal job of making that happen.” With icons like Michael Irvin hyping it up, the WNBA’s rise ain’t just buzz—it’s the future. For stars like A’ja Wilson, who’s already shined at the Olympics, the next chapter could be even bigger with a new union contract in play.

A’ja Wilson calls for more rest amid potential union contract changes 

A’ja Wilson’s dropping some serious hints about her stance ahead of a potential shakeup in the WNBA. Fresh off her MVP win at the Olympics in Paris, the Las Vegas Aces star and two-time WNBA MVP is speaking out about a big issue: the lack of rest time for players coming off international duty. “If it is a chance for us to go to the table and say, ‘Hey, we should get more rest time,’ even if it’s… just a couple of days. It’s crazy to see players play fresh off of a plane in a sense. So yeah, I don’t mind asking for that,” Wilson told The Associated Press. And she’s not alone—many players have been feeling the grind.

The 28-year-old’s comments come just as talk of a potential contract negotiation between the league and the player’s union heats up. The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) runs until the end of the 2027 season, but there’s an opt-out option this year if the union gives notice before the end of Nov. With top figures like Wilson and Breanna Stewart leading the charge in the WNBPA, changes could be coming.

WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson hinted that opting out is very much on the table. “It’s up to the players,” Jackson said, adding, “There’s an opportunity to opt out of this current CBA; let’s see what the players decide.” The players are clearly ready to bring new demands to the table, especially after a rocky rollout of the league’s universal charter flight program. With some teams stuck in limbo early on, frustration’s bubbling up. 

As the clock ticks, all eyes are on A’Ja Wilson. Her next move could shake things up.

Catch all the behind-the-scenes vibes from the Essentially Sports interview with Brandon Guttman II as Michael Irvin reveals his take on the WNBA’s meteoric rise. Check out every episode of the ES x BG12 Show on our YouTube channel. Stay tuned!