NYSportsJournalism.com - Pitbull, ESPN Play Soundtrack For WNBA ASG
With the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star weekend fast approaching, ESPN has unveiled a multi-media effort, “Can’t Get Enough,” fronted by the song from Bia (pictured), Lakeyah & Flau’jae presented by Culture Jam.
The 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, already declared a sellout in Footprint Center, home to the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, will air July 20 on ABC (8:30 PM ET).
The game features the WNBA All-Stars vs. the USA Women’s National Team, en route to the Paris Olympics.
“The WNBA is setting all-time highs in attendance and viewership right now, and we want to continue the momentum with an all-star campaign that sits at the powerful intersection of sports, music and culture,” Rachel Epstein, ESPN vp-women’s sports and audience expansion marketing, said via the network
“It celebrates and integrates the talents of the best players in the world and these amazing artists.”
“Can’t Get Enough” is the first single by Culture Jam in 2024.
Separately, the Phoenix Mercury said Grammy Award-winning musician Pitbull would perform at halftime.
“We have an opportunity to use AT&T WNBA All-Star to showcase an incredible league and some of the greatest athletes in the world,” Mercury and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia said via the WNBA. “It’s important everything we do, on and off the floor, is at the same level as the superstars who will be playing.
“Pitbull is one of the world’s most dynamic artists and I wanted a halftime performer who reflects the same excitement, passion and incredible fandom of the WNBA.
ESPN will broadcast the live Pitbull halftime performance.
Culture Jam launched in 2021 through the Culture Jam Vol. 1 compilation album with the inaugural athlete, Kawhi Leonard, and in collaboration with Culture Jam founder and music industry veteran, Eesean Bolden.
ESPN said Culture Jam “celebrates the union of sports, music, and community through collaborations with some of today’s most celebrated athletes and music artists.”
The All-Star Game single debuted across ESPN platforms and is inclusive of comprehensive digital efforts. The full track releases on digital streaming platforms along with the music video on July 19 distributed by ADA / Warner.
“Working with ESPN, the WNBA and Culture Jam on ‘Can’t Get Enough’ has been an incredible experience,” Bia said via ESPN. “It’s amazing to see how music and sports can come together to create something special.
“The timing, energy and passion of the WNBA All-Star weekend are the perfect backdrop for this collaboration, and I’m honored to be a part of it with Lakeyah and Flau’jae.”
The full 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star weekend is July 19-20 in Phoenix. Festivities begin with the WNBA Starry 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge, culminating in the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game.
WNBA Live presented by U.S. Bank will be part of the All-Star Game for the third consecutive season, with this year’s sports, entertainment and culture fanfest taking place in the Phoenix Convention Center July 19-20.
Rosters include rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as well as league icon Diana Taurasi, who will be in her 11th All-Star Game before heading to her sixth Olympics as part of the USA Women’s National Team.
Clark of the Indiana Fever was the leading vote-getter from the fans, receiving 700,735 with Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston finishing second with 618,680
The Top Five also included A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) with 607,300 votes, Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty, 424,135) and Chicago Sky's Reese with 381,518 votes.
Wilson and Stewart are part of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team roster.
As part of the celebration, the Phoenix Mercury will unveil two-full sized Diana Taurasi basketball courts, dedicated to the three-time WNBA champion, six-time Olympian, 11-time WNBA All-Star, and the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Each court will be named the Diana Taurasi Court and adorned with a one-of-a-kind Taurasi-inspired logo.