Contact Information: CONTACT: Jessica Pollack Hearst Magazines (212) 649-2619 jrpollack@hearst.com Kendra Newton Hearst Magazines (212) 649-2570 knewton@hearst.com Dina Pappas WNBA (212) 407-8840 dpappas@nba.com
Seventeen Magazine and WNBA Partner for Exclusive Sports Survey of Teen Girls
| Source: Seventeen Magazine
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - August 7, 2008) - Seventeen magazine and the Women's National
Basketball Association have partnered for a comprehensive survey to explore
how sports can change the lives of teen girls. Featured in the September
issue of Seventeen, on newsstands August 12th, the survey revealed that 83%
of teen girls play sports with basketball ranked as the number one
participatory sport.
Girls play sports for a variety of reasons, but the top reason found in
this survey is to exercise (68.4%). Other top reasons included forming
friendships, competing and representing their schools. Challenges that
young female sports enthusiasts endure include insecurities; 33% of girls
who don't play sports say it's because they're worried that they wouldn't
be good at it. In addition, 35% of girls also say their teams don't get as
much equipment or field time as the boys' teams and 35% of girls have heard
their peers make homophobic remarks about female athletes.
Despite these factors keeping some girls from playing sports, teens are
able to look to inspiring pros, such as Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Serena
and Venus Williams, as they take sports to a whole new level and even
dismiss outdated stereotypes. The survey also revealed that 66% of teen
girls believe that cheerleading is a sport, not some sideline event, and
71% think female cheerleaders should cheer at girls' sports events.
"Sports can have a profound impact on the lives of teen girls, helping them
grow into emotionally and physically strong young women," said Seventeen
Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket. "The challenge of competing, the thrill of
winning and the lessons of losing will stay with them forever."
"We are pleased to partner with Seventeen magazine on this important survey
as we know first hand how the role of sports can develop young girls into
leaders," said WNBA President Donna Orender. "The women of the WNBA are
strong, passionate and determined individuals who exhibit these traits both
on and off the court. As a result, we are true believers in the
significance of participation in sports for all girls and women."
Seventeen and the WNBA are also giving one lucky winner a trip to the 2009
WNBA Draft and a $2,500 Discover Gift Card for new team equipment in the
"Do You Love Your Team?" contest. Entry information and additional prizes
are available at www.seventeen.com/wnba.
Methodology:
The research, conducted in April, surveyed more than 1,000 13-20 year old
females.
ABOUT SEVENTEEN:
Seventeen reaches more than 13 million readers every month and is today's
largest selling teen beauty and fashion magazine. Seventeen is published by
Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of
the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with a total of 19
U.S. titles and nearly 200 international editions. Hearst Magazines reaches
more adults in the U.S. than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.4
million according to MRI, fall 2006). The company also publishes 19
magazines in the United Kingdom through its wholly owned subsidiary, The
National Magazine Company Limited.
ABOUT WNBA:
Comprised of 14 teams and in its 12th season, the WNBA is the most
successful women's professional team sports league in the world. The 2008
season tipped off May 17 with ESPN2 again providing appointment viewing in
the form of its "WNBA Tuesdays" telecasts. During the 2008 season,
combined coverage on ABC and ESPN2 will include 21 national telecasts,
while NBA TV, the league's 24-hour television network, will offer 70
regular-season contests.
Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that
improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on
programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase
breast and women's health awareness, support youth and family development,
and focus on education. For more information on the WNBA, log on to
www.wnba.com.