Are Women’s Sports Leagues More Elphaba or Glinda? Let’s Cast the Spell
The Wicked: For Good trailer just dropped, and it had us thinking: Do our favorite Professional Women’s Sports Leagues possess the strength of Elphaba or the compassion of Glinda? Well, we put it to the test, and our “frank analysis” seems to have cracked the code!
WNBA: Elphaba
Erica Wheeler celebrating against the Phoenix Mercury (Steve Bisig/Imagn Images)
The WNBA refuses to be quiet on issues related to gender equality, the wage gap, and social justice. Their outspokenness is just one reason why they exude Elphaba energy. This league has the perfect mix of highly skilled players, immaculate vibes, and just the right amount of spiciness. Just like Elphaba, these women are unapologetically themselves and know how to bring the fiery spirit. Sure, Diana Taurasi took a lot of the drama with her when she retired, but the girls are just getting started!
NWSL: Glinda
The Portland Thorns in a team huddle (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
The NWSL may have started as an Elphaba, ready to battle all of the odds stacked against them, but with its growing popularity, this league certainly knows how to work a crowd like Glinda! Its record-shattering attendance and major partnership deals prove that these women don’t chase; they attract. Stars like Temwa Chawinga and Rose Lavelle are effortless leaders who can make outstanding plays on the field with smiles on their faces. Like Glinda, the players are charming, but don’t let that distract you from their deep intelligence.
PWHL: Elphaba
The Boston Fleet celebrates a late-game goal (Barry Chin/Getty Images)
It’s not easy being the newbies, but like Elphaba, the PWHL handled it with poise and pride! When you are the first of your kind, you have to own being the blueprint, and the league has done just that. These players possess a tenacity that stems from their desire to move mountains, a kind of power that shines through in electrifying moments. There isn’t as much drama on the ice compared to other leagues, but that’s because all of that fire is directly fueled into the game. Make no mistake, these women have etched their names in history, and like Elphaba, they continue to command our attention.
AUSL: Glinda
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League underwent many changes going into the 2025 season, and it’s safe to say that they quickly became “popular”! Now, with four teams that travel across ten cities rather than rotating rosters, they’ve polished up their format and, in true Glinda fashion, only required a few adjustments to understand this league’s potential. It’s already proven to be successful, with so many people discovering just how engaging softball is. All it took was a little bit of magic and understanding, just like Glinda.
PWR: Elphaba
If there’s anything we’ve gathered from the Paris Olympics, it’s that women’s rugby is equally entertaining and underappreciated. Since then, the PWR has been on the rise, and there’s no sign of them stopping. Sure, these women might come off as intimidating on the pitch, but that intensity is a result of passion and is exactly why they embody Elphaba. Once you get to know their stories, they are some of the most genuine athletes out there. They also have their softer moments like Elphaba, but their walls are strong and have inspired younger girls who hope to be in their position one day.
LPGA: Glinda
Madelene Sagstrom, right, celebrates T-Mobile Match Play tournament win (John Locher/AP Photo)
The Ladies Professional Golf Association carries a legacy that embodies subtle yet strong “popularity.” As one of the longest-running women’s professional sports leagues, they’ve perfectly calculated the strategy for creating a platform with such longevity. Similar to Glinda’s ability to turn anything from dust into diamonds, the league found a way to deliver high-quality competition without all of the fire that other sports thrive on. It didn’t happen overnight, but through lots of experimentation, they found the recipe that works. Like Glinda, these women make their craft look effortless.
Whether you are drawn to Elphaba’s authentic personality or Glinda’s magnetic spirit, both witches are integral parts of their story, just like these professional women’s sports leagues. United in empowering each other and the younger generation, their strength lies in the collective impact they create. As for the audience, well, it’s simple: by watching these women succeed, we have been “changed for good”.