The WNBA has announced an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC, which will see more than 100 regular-season games broadcast each season. While the exact value of the deal was not disclosed, it is estimated to be around $200 million annually. This partnership is set to begin in the 2026 season and run through 2036, with the potential for evaluation and increased revenue after three years. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized the significance of this deal in showcasing the rise in value and interest in women’s basketball.
The new broadcast agreements will see the partners responsible for production and marketing commitments, with the $200 million a year specifically allocated for media rights. Currently, the league’s media deal is valued at about $60 million per year, and the negotiations for the new deals were conducted by the NBA, which owns a majority stake in the WNBA. The partnership will distribute over 125 regular-season and playoff games nationally each year, with games split between Disney platforms, NBC, and Prime Video, with playoffs rotated among the three groups.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro expressed pride in the collaborative partnership with the WNBA since its inception, highlighting the network’s role in broadcasting the WNBA Finals and contributing to the league’s growth trajectory. The increase in revenue from the new deals is expected to have a significant impact on player salaries, which have been a point of contention for many years. The current top base salary in the WNBA is $242,000, with players often supplementing their incomes by playing overseas. The new deals could potentially see player salaries and earnings rise substantially.
In addition to the new broadcast agreements with Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC, the WNBA also has existing broadcast deals with ION and CBS, which run through 2025 and could be renewed thereafter, potentially bringing in at least $60 million annually. The league has seen impressive ratings over the past two seasons, with the recent All-Star Game attracting 3.4 million viewers, making it the third most-viewed event in WNBA history. The expansion of the league to 14 teams over the next two seasons, including new teams such as the Golden State Valkyries and a franchise in Toronto, is also part of the league’s growth strategy.
Upon news of the media rights deal, the players’ union expressed concerns about the valuation of the WNBA. Executive director Terri Jackson raised questions about how the NBA arrived at the $200 million valuation and emphasized the significant growth and commitment demonstrated by WNBA players and fans in recent years. The union is advocating for a fair and equitable valuation of the league, given its rising popularity and success. The future looks promising for the WNBA as it continues to expand and solidify its position in the sports media landscape.
