Tuesday’s WNBA season opener, where the Indiana Fever faced off against the Connecticut Sun, drew in an impressive 2.1 million viewers, with a peak of 2.3 million, according to ESPN. This marked the most-watched game for the league since 2001, when Sheryl Swoops and the Los Angeles Sparks played the Houston Comets on Memorial Day. It also set a record for the most-watched WNBA game on ESPN platforms ever. In addition to the Fever vs. Sun game, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury also saw an increase in viewership, with 464,000 people tuning in, up 5% from last year.
The WNBA’s regular season games are broadcasted live on various networks and streaming platforms, such as ESPN, ABC, NBA TV, CBS, and WNBA League Pass. Last year, the WNBA experienced its most-watched regular season in over two decades, with viewership on networks like ABC, CBS, and ESPN up by 21% compared to the previous year. Games on ABC, ESPN, and CBS averaged around 505,000 viewers. This increase in viewership is attributed to the addition of high-profile rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who have brought significant fan bases from the college game to the professional league.
Caitlin Clark, considered one of the greatest women’s college basketball players of all time, had a challenging start to her professional career with the Indiana Fever, despite scoring 20 points in her debut game. The Fever ultimately fell to the Sun 92-71, with Clark committing 10 turnovers. However, her presence in the league has undoubtedly generated excitement and interest, contributing to the surge in viewership for the WNBA season opener. The increased attention on women’s basketball, both at the college and professional levels, has been a prominent trend in recent years, with the women’s NCAA national championship attracting more viewers than the men’s for the first time in history.
The growing popularity of women’s basketball has translated into increased ticket sales for the WNBA, with StubHub reporting a 93% rise in sales ahead of the season’s start. This heightened demand for women’s basketball was evident in the decision by ESPN to broadcast two of the first games of the WNBA season live on Disney+, a move that reflects the network’s confidence in the league’s potential to attract a broader audience. As interest in the sport continues to grow, the WNBA is poised to capitalize on the momentum generated by high-profile players like Caitlin Clark and the success of last season’s record-breaking viewership numbers.
With the WNBA season now in full swing, fans can look forward to more exciting games and matchups as the league continues to showcase the talents of its top players. The increased visibility and support for women’s basketball, both on and off the court, highlight the growing prominence of female athletes in sports and the opportunities for women to excel in professional basketball. As the WNBA continues to attract a wider audience and generate buzz around its games, the future looks bright for women’s basketball and the players who are redefining the sport with their skills and passion.
