Kelsey Plum makes major off-court move during breakout WNBA moment originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The WNBA’s growth has created opportunities that simply did not exist for previous generations of stars, and Kelsey Plum is quickly becoming one of the biggest examples of that shift. Already one of the league’s most recognizable players, the Los Angeles Sparks guard made another major career move Thursday when she was announced as a player contributor for Amazon Prime Video during the platform’s expanded WNBA coverage in 2026.
Advertisement
The move comes at a pivotal time not only for Plum, but for the WNBA itself. Women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented visibility entering the 2026 season, with television ratings, attendance and national attention continuing to rise around stars like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers. Networks are investing more heavily in coverage, and current players are increasingly becoming central voices in broadcasts and media conversations.
Plum now joins that growing trend.
Kelsey Plum continues building one of the WNBA’s biggest brands
Plum’s on-court resume already places her among the league’s elite. The former No. 1 overall pick helped lead the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023 while developing into one of the most dynamic guards in basketball. Over the last several years, she has also become one of the WNBA’s most marketable personalities thanks to her confidence, leadership and visibility away from the court.
Advertisement
That profile has only continued to rise since arriving in Los Angeles. Through the early part of the 2026 season, Plum entered Thursday averaging 26.0 points per game, ranking among the WNBA’s scoring leaders while helping bring renewed attention to the Sparks franchise.
Her combination of star power and personality makes her a natural fit for television coverage. According to the announcement, Plum will make select appearances throughout Prime Video’s WNBA coverage this season as a player contributor. The streaming platform will air 31 exclusive WNBA games in 2026, along with the Commissioner’s Cup Championship and first-round playoff action.
MORE: Lisa Leslie still believes Team USA missed a huge opportunity with Caitlin Clark
The WNBA’s media landscape is changing rapidly
Plum’s latest opportunity also reflects how quickly the business side of women’s basketball is evolving. For years, WNBA players often had limited mainstream media opportunities outside of endorsements or studio appearances after retirement. That reality has changed dramatically as networks and streaming companies continue competing for live sports rights and personality-driven coverage.
Advertisement
Current stars now carry far more influence than ever before. Players with strong voices and national followings are becoming valuable not just because of production on the court, but because they help shape conversations around the league itself. Plum fits perfectly into that space.
At 31 years old and in her 10th professional season, she is no longer just one of the WNBA’s top scorers. She has become one of the faces helping define where the league is heading next. And judging by Thursday’s announcement, her influence may only continue growing from here.
