Why Water Polo Deserves More Global Recognition & Funding — Part 1
Jun 17th 2025
If you’ve ever played water polo — even once — you know it’s not just a sport. It’s a test of grit, endurance, and sheer will. It combines the explosive power of sprinting, the contact of wrestling, the tactics of basketball, and the constant movement of swimming. Played in deep water with no rest and nonstop pressure, water polo is one of the hardest Olympic sports in the world — and yet, it remains one of the most underfunded and overlooked.
From early morning training to grueling travel schedules, water polo athletes put in elite-level work. But unlike football or basketball players, they don’t get multimillion-dollar deals, national commercials, or sold-out arenas. Most water polo teams struggle for funding, gear, and even pool space — often practicing late at night or sharing time with other sports.
Still, they grind. Because the love for the game outweighs the spotlight.
Why Isn’t Water Polo More Popular?
Water polo has all the ingredients of a fan-favorite sport: intense physical contact, strategic gameplay, elite-level skill, fierce rivalries, and a proud Olympic history. It’s fast-paced. It’s dramatic. It’s played in deep water with no breaks — and yet, most people still don’t understand just how demanding and exciting it really is.
So if water polo has everything fans love… why isn’t it more popular?
The truth is, water polo suffers from a lack of exposure, not a lack of excitement. While the U.S. Women’s National Water Polo Team has dominated the global stage with multiple Olympic gold medals, and the U.S. Men’s Team just captured a historic bronze medal in Paris (their first Olympic podium finish in 16 years), the reaction from mainstream media was underwhelming at best.
No trending hashtags. No viral highlight reels. Few post-game interviews or athlete spotlights. It didn’t get the attention it truly deserved.
In water polo, the athletes who represent Team USA often work side jobs just to stay in the game.
That’s not just unfair — that’s a missed opportunity for sports media, fans, and sponsors alike.
Water Polo Deserves the Spotlight
We’re not saying water polo is invisible. It’s been an Olympic sport since 1900, and its legacy runs deep. But even with its long-standing history and incredible athleticism, Olympic water polo remains one of the most underfunded and under-promoted sports in the world.
Where’s the media coverage for our champions?
Where are the highlight reels from overtime thrillers?
Where’s the respect for athletes who train year-round, compete internationally, and bring home medals?
We’re talking about some of the most disciplined and physically elite athletes in the world — men and women who give everything for their teams, their country, and their sport. But without visibility, the world doesn’t get to see what they’re capable of.
And that matters.
Because visibility leads to recognition, recognition leads to funding. And funding leads to opportunity.
Water polo doesn’t need to change. It just needs a bigger stage.
When Flavor Flav Stepped In
One of the coolest things to come out of the 2024 Olympics was when hip-hop legend Flavor Flav stepped up to support the U.S. Women’s Team after Maggie Steffens posted about the financial struggle so many of our Olympians face.
He saw her message — about how these women juggle multiple jobs just to chase their dreams — and said: “Women’s water polo is not a big sport like basketball or football, but I want to help. It’s about giving back.”
Flavor Flav didn’t stop there. In June 2025, he made headlines again by presenting the prestigious Cutino Awards to both the men's and women's winners, proving that when a big personality backs a small sport, the spotlight follows.
This Sport Deserves Equal Recognition
Let’s be real — if the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team or a top basketball program were #1 in the world, they’d be on cereal boxes and national commercials. Our women’s team? Barely gets enough to train full-time. That’s not just unfair — it’s a missed opportunity.
Water polo athletes — both men and women — are competing at the highest level with some of the lowest levels of support. Equal play means equal pay, equal promotion, and equal opportunity.
Meet the Athletes Giving Back to the Water Polo Community
Delfina USA powered by S&R Sport, is proud to support athletes who give back and help grow the game of water polo.
Maddie Musselman, a three-time Olympian and one of the most decorated players in water polo history, teamed up with us to launch her signature collection — bold, performance-driven gear inspired by elite athletes. In 2024, she ran water polo clinics and is now continuing her impact through the @patrickwoepsefoundation, honoring her late husband and fellow water polo player, Patrick Woepse, while raising awareness for rare cancers.
On the men's side, Max Irving — 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and a longtime leader of the U.S. Men’s National Team — is doing more than just competing. He’s hosting clinics in California, helping young water polo players sharpen their skills, build confidence, and take their game to the next level. Delfina USA proudly supports Max’s mission by providing equipment that powers these sessions. Because it’s about more than just what they wear — it’s about investing in the next generation. You can check out his website and watch for upcoming clinics at https://www.maxirvingelite.com/
And now, rising star Emily Ausmus — 2024 Olympian and 2025 Cutino Finalist — is part of the Delfina family. Her presence on and off the pool deck is helping elevate women’s water polo visibility in ways the sport desperately needs.
Amanda Longan is redefining what it means to be a water polo athlete today. She’s modeled our Delfina USA collection, pairing her social media savvy with deep-water impact. Amanda channels her Olympic fire into developing the next generation of athletes, sharing her experience and insight both in and out of the pool. Whether it’s through coaching, mentorship, or engaging with young players, she remains connected to the sport’s grassroots.
These partnerships reflect a shared mission: grow the game, elevate its visibility, and support the next generation of athletes.
It Starts Here, With Us
From USA Water Polo and the American Water Polo League to college programs across the country, the push to grow this sport is stronger than ever. Youth athletes are training year-round. Coaches are all in. And brands like Delfina USA powered by S&R Sport, are supporting the movement with high-performance gear and custom team equipment.
But we can’t do it alone.
We have the athletes. We have the passion. Now, we need more visibility, more resources, and more people who believe in the power and potential of this sport.
Momentum is building. USA Water Polo’s Try Water Polo initiative, happening August 22–24, will offer free clinics nationwide — giving kids a chance to experience the game for the first time, no gear or experience required. This is how we grow: locally, consistently, and with heart.
If your club wants to be part of this movement, visit usawaterpolo.org/TryWaterPolo or reach out to sportgrowth@usawaterpolo.org.
Because this is about more than medals. It’s about visibility, equity, and giving every kid a chance to be strong, fast, and fearless in the water — just like their Olympic heroes.
Tell Us Your Why
#WhyWaterPolo?
This is more than a sport. It’s a movement.
We want to hear from you. Whether you play, coach, or simply love watching water polo — your story matters. Join the conversation by clicking the link below and answering a few short questions about why you’re passionate about the game.
Your response might be featured on our social media as part of the #WhyWaterPolo campaign. Let’s amplify the voices of our community and show the world what this sport is really about.
CLICK HERE to share your Why
Because growing water polo starts with telling your story.
Coming in Part 2: How clubs, fans, and brands can grow water polo in their own communities — from starting a team to running a fundraiser to simply sharing the game online. Every action counts.
The world is watching. Let’s make sure water polo finally gets the spotlight it deserves.
