Applying the Four Factors to the WNBA and Exploring Shared Leadership as a Fifth Factor

Founded in 1996, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was formed as the counterpart to the men’s NBA (WNBA). Dean Oliver (2003), in his study of the NBA, identified four factors that contribute to a basketball team’s success: Shooting, Turnovers, Rebounding, and Free Throws. Our study examines the applicability of these four factors to the WNBA. While performance analytics have long been used to understand success in the NBA, little research has explored their relevance to women’s professional basketball. The purpose of this study is to address this gap, by providing empirical insights into what drives team success in the WNBA, how these factors may have changed over time, and how the findings relate to management principles. Findings reveal that the four factors hold for the WNBA, with Shooting being the most significant contributor, though Rebounding and Turnovers show distinct trends over time reflecting differences in gameplay. To extend the practical relevance of the findings, we introduce shared leadership as a fifth factor in a broader conceptual model. Our research connects performance analytics with management principles, providing actionable insights for team leadership across multiple contexts. Ultimately, this study bridges a critical gap, elevating the visibility of women’s sports while providing a framework for effective management practices.