NEW YORK, NY–(EMWNews – 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dismiss outdated stereotypes.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.