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StudBudz Twitch Stream Concludes with Record Viewership, Prompts Rethink of WNBA Marketing

The player-led 72-hour broadcast showcased off-court authenticity through viral clips, raising questions about the league’s promotional strategy.

To interact with Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman during All-Star weekend was to make a cameo on their Twitch livestream.
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Minnesota Lynx players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman stream live from a WNBA All-Star party in Indianapolis.
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Overview

  • Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman wrapped their StudBudz Twitch livestream as All-Star Weekend ended on Sunday.
  • The stream peaked at nearly 15,000 concurrent viewers and amassed almost 60,000 followers by its conclusion.
  • Candid moments such as commissioner Cathy Engelbert dancing to Crime Mob’s “Knuck If You Buck” went viral and highlighted the broadcast’s authenticity.
  • Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and WNBA stars credited the player-driven coverage with outperforming the league’s own marketing efforts.
  • With CBA negotiations still unresolved, StudBudz’s success underscores a growing fan appetite for unfiltered content and adds pressure on the WNBA to modernize its outreach.