We don’t know about you, but we’re still buzzing from the 2024 WNBA season, which was the most talked about regular season. Never on ESPN platforms, up 170 percent from last season. It also recorded a staggering 154 sellouts, an increase of 242% from 2023, according to the WNBA.

This doesn’t even touch on the individual achievements of certain players. Forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, for example, returned from a knee injury to play a central role in the New York Liberty’s championship victory. She even won the ball after her dominant performance in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx.

PS had the opportunity to speak with Laney-Hamilton via Zoom as part of her partnership with Adidas to discuss what it feels like to win your first WNBA championship, what it feels like to play in the WNBA during this record year, and what she does next.

PS: Hello! Congratulations on your victory – such an incredible game and season. How do you feel? What have your days been like since you won game five?

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton: THANKS! Today was actually the first time I was able to think and put everything into perspective. I woke up feeling grateful and joyful to be in this moment and to be able to achieve this goal with my team. It’s been a very long week, from celebrations to parades to other celebrations and everything in between. A lot of my family and friends were here and having everyone rally around me, support me and lift me up was really nice.

PS: It’s wonderful! The PS offices are near the parade route, so we were there to cheer you on last week.

BLH: The parade was probably my favorite part. Just seeing everyone in the streets as we rode past on floats was amazing.

PS: PS does a lot of reporting on women’s sports, and it feels like last season was very electric and validated with increased coverage. I saw that Game 5 was the most watched WNBA Finals in 25 years! Was the change noticeable as a player?

BLH: Yes. The atmosphere alone when you enter the arena this year was really noticeable. The way we were amped up – you could actually feel it. And yes, it was quite rewarding because it’s something that we have has been do, these are the things we have has been capable of. But now at has his eyes on usthe pressure from our partners and everyone doing everything they can to amplify us and bring the public to what we do, to what we are capable of – it really means a lot.

PS: Looking back at the beginning of your professional career, is there anything that has happened in recent years that you would have been surprised or comforted to hear about?

BLH: I would say that I overcame the obstacles that I encountered – whether it was due to injuries, abandonments or other challenges. To be able to overcome them and solidify myself in the league, and now to be a WNBA champion, it’s incredible.

PS: Did you learn anything specific from facing these obstacles, especially injuries, last season?

BLH: Yes, I would say that I am definitely a very resilient person. I feel like at this point there is literally nothing I can’t handle. I’ve been at my lowest and I’ve been able to get back up and rebuild myself time and time again and be able to keep going no matter what I’m faced with, no matter what I’m going through.

It’s just about trying to find joy in the process. Everything may not always look the way I want it to, but there is always something to be grateful for. There is always something to be happy about. If I suffer an injury today, (I see it as:) I have another day to get better. If I get waived, (I see it as:) OK, I have an opportunity to regroup and redefine who I want to be as a player.

That’s what has kept me going in these moments when I face obstacles, obstacles: trying to find something to be grateful for. Trying to find an area in which I can flourish. Thinking, “OK, this may not be what I want, but what can I get out of it? What can I get from it? What can I do to overcome this and become who I want to become? »

PS: This is such a powerful way to approach challenges. Is this something you learned from someone or is it more innate to you?

BLH: I would say it’s something I learned. I’ve been the person who’s been unhappy with something or been sort of soaked in whatever I’m dealing with. But if I kept doing that, I stayed there.

Early in my career, I started really going to chapel. And my family is very religious. So in those moments, having people talk to me and having that relationship with the Lord is what got me here. So it’s definitely something I’ve learned over the years and it doesn’t always look perfect, but I keep telling myself to keep going and that nothing is as bad as it seems. Everyone is going to encounter obstacles. That’s life. But that’s what you do about it. This is how you get over it. This is how you continue to grow and find ways to simply be better.

PS: At PS, we have done a lot of reporting around equal pay in women’s sportand I know the WNBA players are considering renegotiating their collective bargaining agreement. Do you have any thoughts on WNBA salaries and the progress players are working toward?

BLH: We talked about trying to get equal pay (which takes into account) the number of games, what we put into them and the audience we attract. And so this collective agreement will be important, because our (media) agreement is coming to an end and we don’t know exactly what the revenue will be, but we know it will be greater. And so I’m really looking forward to continuing to increase salaries in the WNBA.

PS: Us too! Change speed slightly, we are big sneakerheads at PS. We know you love playing with Adidas Hardens. What sneakers do you like off the court?

BLH: Sambas are one of my favorites. I have them in a bunch of different colors. I like the Handballs Also. They have a bunch of fun colors and this style is very versatile; you can dress it up, you can dress it up. I have the Yeezys, the Bad Bunnies, Gazelles. But if I had to choose one shoe to wear forever, it would be the Sambas. My white and black pieces are my favorites. But I really love my Wales Bonner silver jewelry. I have a bunch of different pink ones – the Humanrace and some light pink Handballs. Anything pink is my favorite.

Mirel Zaman (she/her) is the Director of Health and Fitness at PS. She has over 15 years of experience in the health and wellness field, covering fitness, general health, mental health, relationships & sex, diet & nutrition, spirituality, family and parenting, culture and current events.