Washington Mystics Inner Circle

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

Launched in 2025, Inner Circle is an invitation to fans to explore the personalities and lives of our Mystics athletes off the court. This unique e-zine welcomes you to discover the depth and diversity of athlete interests, passions and inspirations. To look beyond the game stats to see a fuller picture of these extraordinary women. Inner Circle spotlights athlete journeys, shares how passions turn into purpose, and showcase the influential taste makers powering the game forward.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

Inner Circle represents “Excellence in Engagement” by transforming athlete storytelling from transactional content into an immersive, relationship-driven narrative. Each issue sets a new benchmark in fan engagement by connecting the short form content we know fans engage with on social with a mobile-first e-zine that offers long form storytelling. 

From shaping stories around growth moments, like the WNBA Draft, to deeper themes like family, leadership and athlete passions off the court, Inner Circle demonstrates that women’s sports storytelling can be sophisticated, narrative-driven and culturally resonant. It challenges other teams, and leagues, to move beyond surface coverage and instead treat athlete stories with depth and intention. 

Objective

Inner Circle was developed with a clear objective: to elevate athlete storytelling while deepening fan engagement across the Washington Mystics roster. As women’s sports experience historic growth, fans increasingly seek meaningful access—authentic narratives, behind-the-scenes perspective, and a stronger personal connection to the athletes they support.

Launched as the first team e-zine in the WNBA, Inner Circle establishes a new benchmark for athlete-driven content. Players are positioned as storytellers, highlighting not only their individual journeys, but personal interests, and community impact. It moves beyond traditional coverage to present a comprehensive and multidimensional view of professional women athletes.

Strategically, Inner Circle serves as both a brand-building and fan development tool. By blending exclusivity with accessibility, it strengthens loyalty among existing supporters while inviting new audiences into the Mystics culture. The result is sustained engagement that extends beyond game day and reinforces the organization’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and authentic representation.

Inner Circle reflects a broader evolution in sports marketing—where performance and personality coexist, and where storytelling drives measurable growth in women’s basketball fandom.

Strategy & Execution

Inner Circle releases four issues each year, aligning with key tent pole moments in the women’s basketball calendar. While the name may denote exclusivity, being a part of the ‘Inner Circle’ doesn’t mean you’ll only meet the team’s starting five. Inner Circle is designed to bring fans closer to every player on team, 1 through 12. Each issue features stories on 3-4 different athletes on the roster, plus an in-depth athlete feature for that issue’s cover story. 

Inner Circle’s digital reading experience is brought to life on the interactive Maglr platform, prioritizing mobile-first engagement directly connecting to fans who want to consume content on the go. Inner Circle’s visual identity features a vibrant color palette, sleek photography, and a bold modern aesthetic that raises the game for how athletes are showcased off the court by the respective team. 

Fans were officially welcomed to the Inner Circle in March 2025 with a splashy launch for the inaugural issue dubbed “the Miami edit”, showcasing Mystics athletes during the off season in Miami, Florida. The inaugural issue dropped on social media, supported by a curated graphics package for each athlete to share directly on her social channels. 

Organizations

• Washington Mystics
• Charm Studio Design
• LLC
• Trick Productions

Links

•   Website

Featured

• Georgia Amoore
• Shakira Austin
• Stefanie Dolson
• Aaliyah Edwards
• Emily Engstler
• Jade Melbourne
• Lucy Olsen
• Sug Sutton
• Brittney Sykes

Credits

Alycen McAuley
Chief Business Officer
Washington Mystics

Grace Debono
Senior Director, Digital Marketing
Washington Mystics

Grace Marland
Design & Art Director
Charm Studio Design

Stacia Smith
Copywriter

David Alvarez
Photographer
Trick Productions

Kenny Giarla
Photographer

Hannah Sesay
Videographer
Washington Mystics

Anna Brune
Director, Social Media
Washington Mystics

Felicia Urban
Coordinator, Brand Marketing
Washington Mystics

Dana Campbell
Vice President, Marketing
Washington Mystics