The popularity of women's sports is increasing as both fans and brands become more involved.

• Sports leagues for women, including soccer and basketball, are aiming to expand their fan base and media coverage.
• Fledgling leagues are also seeing the value of building equity through company sponsorships, according to speakers at CNBC x Boardroom's Game Plan.

The commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League, Jessica Berman, stated that the enthusiasm and zeal for women's sports will not diminish; instead, it will intensify.

According to Berman, the moment we are currently experiencing is not just a fleeting success, like a single sport or league or event, but rather a significant turning point that will determine its lasting impact.

Women's sports have seen a significant increase in media coverage, from around 5% to nearly 15%, indicating a successful trend across leagues and athletes. To further enhance the growth of women's sports, leagues are now sharing best practices.

"Our goal is to increase our portion of the pie; there's no dispute about our small slice," she stated.

Sara Gotfredson, founder of Trailblazing Sports Group, stated on Tuesday that there is a compelling business case for brands to support emerging leagues such as the NWSL and the Women's National Basketball Association.

Gotfredson observed that women's sports fans are "fanning differently" and are more engaged "from a brand partner perspective" than those who follow men's sports and male athletes. She highlighted brands such as Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas as leaders in the space that are recognizing the value in investing in emerging women's sports leagues.

"Although it remains a minor portion of brands investing in women's sports, it is gradually growing."

A forward on the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, Cameron Brink, has received endorsements from various brands such as New Balance, Urban Decay, and Legal Zoom.

"Although my [WNBA] contract may not be as lucrative as my off-court earnings, I am passionate about my role on the court and believe it contributes to my overall success," she stated during Tuesday's panel. "My success on the court translates to success off the court."

Both Brink and USC's women's basketball star JuJu Watkins agreed that more women's sports games need to be more accessible for fans. Brink said that right now fans have to "jump through so many hoops" to watch games staring female athletes.

Gotfredson also emphasized the need for increased coverage of these leagues on both linear television and podcasts, YouTube shows, and other media.

Women's leagues need to catch up, as the NWSL is only 13 years old and recently gained independence from the United States Soccer Federation.

""Centuries of experience in men's sports cannot be quickly gained in a decade," Berman stated."