Behind every WNBA game is a network of people and infrastructure working to support the games throughout the season. In honor of the WNBA’s 30th anniversary this May, we took a deep dive into how natural gas is fueling the league’s success. Here are the many ways natural gas is dishing out great assists during the season. 

Fueling the game experience 

Space heating: Natural gas furnaces and boilers provide reliable and high-capacity heating to keep large arena seating bowls, concourses and locker rooms comfortable. 

Food service and concessions: Natural gas fuels commercial kitchen equipment such as stoves, ovens, grills and fryers used by in-arena food vendors. 

Hot water generation: Natural gas water heaters supply large volumes of hot water needed for restrooms, locker room showers, laundry, concessions and sanitation. 

Home electricity generation: Natural gas fuels a large share of U.S. power plants, helping provide the electricity that runs TVs, streaming devices, Wi-Fi routers and gaming consoles used to watch games. 

Manufacturing TVs and devices: The plastics and components in televisions, remotes and streaming boxes are often made from materials whose chemical building blocks originate from natural gas. 

Home heating and comfort: Natural gas heats homes and provides hot water, allowing fans to comfortably watch games regardless of weather conditions. 

Manufacturing, sustainability, and long-term impact 

Broadcast production facilities: Natural gas helps fuel studios, control rooms and production facilities where games are produced, edited and transmitted to viewers at homes are produced, edited and transmitted to viewers at home. 

Protective coatings: Plastics and polymer coatings used on rims, padding and backboard supports are manufactured using natural gas derived chemicals that improve durability. 

Basketball nets: Standard nylon basketball nets are made from synthetic fibers produced from polymers whose feedstocks come from natural gas. 

Polyester uniforms: Natural gas is used as a chemical feedstock to create plastic polymers that are spun into polyester fibers for lightweight, durable basketball jerseys. 

Basketball outer cover (synthetic leather): Most basketballs use polyurethane or composite leather covers made from plastics whose chemical building blocks originate from natural gas. 

Media and advertising supply chains: Natural gas supports the manufacturing of signage, digital boards, packaging and branded merchandise materials used in WNBA marketing and fan engagement. 

Resilience during peak demand: Natural gas’ role in flexible electricity generation helps accommodate spikes in demand during nationally televised WNBA games and major events. 

Supporting teams, travel, and operations 

Manufacturing of medical and recovery equipment: Items like compression gear, braces, foam rollers and athletic tape use synthetic materials derived from natural gas based petrochemicals. 

Airport ground operations: Natural gas is used to generate electricity and heat at airports for terminals, hangars and baggage systems teams rely on during travel. 

Logistics and equipment transport: Natural gas supports warehousing, distribution centers and freight operations used to ship uniforms, medical gear and training. 

Commercial aviation fuel production: Natural gas helps fuel refineries that produce jet fuel, indirectly supporting the flights teams use to travel between cities. 

Hotel energy use: Natural gas supplies heat, hot water and laundry services at hotels where teams stay during road trips. 

Economic accessibility: Low-cost natural gas helps keep energy prices lower across manufacturing and transportation, indirectly influencing the affordability of tickets, merchandise and broadcasts.