WNBA has most-watched regular season in 21 years; highest average attendance since 2018
1 year, 3 months ago

WNBA has most-watched regular season in 21 years; highest average attendance since 2018

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The WNBA once again had strong metrics as the league had its most-watched regular season in 21 years and its highest average attendance since 2018. Viewership was up 21% over last year across its national television partners and the league’s average attendance of 6,615 fans was the WNBA’s highest since the 2018 season. “The significant rise in key business metrics is a testament to the captivating games being played and the WNBA’s expanding appeal,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “This surge in interest not only showcases the immense talent and athleticism on the court but also highlights the compelling narratives that continue to emerge about the players and the league.” The defending champion Aces had the highest average attendance increase, with a league-high 9,551 fans per game — up 66% from last season.

Season Wnba League Highest  wnbas  wnba  league  regular  attendance  average  2018  mostwatched  highest  21  aces  game  season

History of this topic

WNBA season to begin on May 16 with new team Golden State Valkyries opening at home
3 weeks ago

WNBA season to begin on May 16 with new team Golden State Valkyries opening at home

The Hindu  

An expanded WNBA with more games and a new franchise will tip off on May 16. The league extended its schedule to 44 games this year, up from 40, with the addition of a new team, Golden State Valkyries. “We look forward to tipping off the WNBA’s 29th season in May of 2025 and continuing to build on the success …

NBA WNBA: A Thriving Landscape for the Future
2 months ago

NBA WNBA: A Thriving Landscape for the Future

Associated Press  

The WNBA is looking promising for the upcoming season after a record-setting year. The league is expanding and will increase the number of regular season games to 44. The WNBA will hold an expansion draft for Golden State in December. The Valkyries will be the league's 13th franchise. The league will add franchises in Toronto and Portland in 2026 with …

WNBA makes major change for next season to capitalize on Caitlin Clark's impact
2 months, 1 week ago

WNBA makes major change for next season to capitalize on Caitlin Clark's impact

Daily Mail  

After having the most successful regular season in the history of the league, the WNBA is looking to capitalize on its popularity by growing. The 2024 season saw an influx of popular rookies - most notably Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark - that saw the game reach new heights and capture sports headlines around the country. After Caitlin Clark's record-setting …

Indianapolis to host 2025 WNBA All-Star Game with Fever leading league’s surge in popularity
4 months, 1 week ago

Indianapolis to host 2025 WNBA All-Star Game with Fever leading league’s surge in popularity

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis will host the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game for the first time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, the league announced Wednesday. A television audience of 3.44 million watched the All-Stars win 117-109 on July 20 in the most-watched WNBA All-Star Game. “The city of Indianapolis and the entire state of Indiana have such an incredible and enduring …

Caitlin Clark-Diana Taurasi matchup becomes second most-watched WNBA game on ESPN
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Caitlin Clark-Diana Taurasi matchup becomes second most-watched WNBA game on ESPN

New York Times  

The Rookie versus The GOAT produced some viewership magic for the WNBA. The Indiana Fever’s 88-82 win over the Phoenix Mercury on June 30 averaged 1.9 million viewers, the second most-watched WNBA game in the history of ESPN only behind the Fever against the Chicago Sky on June 23. What makes this particularly interesting, as Sports Media Watch first noted: …

Latest Fever vs. Sky game draws 2.3 million viewers, becomes most-watched WNBA game in 23 years
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Latest Fever vs. Sky game draws 2.3 million viewers, becomes most-watched WNBA game in 23 years

New York Times  

When Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese get together, sports media companies rejoice. The Chicago Sky’s 88-87 victory Sunday over the Indiana Fever — featuring a career-high 25 points from Reese and the Sky erasing a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit — averaged 2.302 million viewers on ESPN, per the company. The June 16 game between the teams — a 91-83 Fever win …

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's showdown featuring THAT brutal foul is most-watched WNBA game in 23 YEARS - with Fever vs Sky drawing in an average of 2.25 million viewers
6 months ago

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's showdown featuring THAT brutal foul is most-watched WNBA game in 23 YEARS - with Fever vs Sky drawing in an average of 2.25 million viewers

Daily Mail  

The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has propelled WNBA viewership to never-before-seen heights. The Fever's 91-83 victory over the Sky was the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has propelled viewership to new heights Clark and Indiana were once again victorious in their second meeting with the Sky this season, …

Caitlin Clark and other rookies draw near-record crowds, record ratings for 1st month of WNBA season
6 months, 1 week ago

Caitlin Clark and other rookies draw near-record crowds, record ratings for 1st month of WNBA season

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The first month of the WNBA season drew its highest attendance since the league’s second season in 1998 and the best television ratings in its history, the WNBA announced Tuesday. The figures are the latest evidence of the surging popularity of the WNBA since it added prominent rookies including Indiana’s Caitlin Clark, Chicago’s Angel Reese and Los …

WNBA reveals the location of its next expansion franchise... and it will be the league's first team outside the US
7 months ago

WNBA reveals the location of its next expansion franchise... and it will be the league's first team outside the US

Daily Mail  

The league is enjoying a 14-percent increase in attendance from last year With the WNBA's recent upswing in popularity, Toronto has been awarded the league's first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told the AP that she's focused on international markets Fueled by its sensational rookie class …

Clark, Reese and Brink have already been a huge boon for WNBA with high attendance and ratings
7 months ago

Clark, Reese and Brink have already been a huge boon for WNBA with high attendance and ratings

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Fueled by its sensational rookie class of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink, the WNBA had a huge first week in terms of attendance, ratings and digital media. ESPN’s broadcast of Clark’s opening night game when the Indiana Fever played the Connecticut Sun had the highest viewership for a WNBA game on the network. “That’s viewership …

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut is most-watched game in two decades
7 months, 1 week ago

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut is most-watched game in two decades

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our …

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut helps ESPN set viewership record for league game on network
7 months, 1 week ago

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut helps ESPN set viewership record for league game on network

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — ESPN’s broadcast of the Connecticut Sun’s game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever had the highest viewership for a WNBA game on the network. The Sun’s 92-71 win over the Fever in Clark’s WNBA debut on the league’s opening night on Tuesday drew an average of 2.1 million viewers on ESPN2, ESPN+ and Disney+, including a …

Clark Effect: Ratings and attendance boost could be on way for WNBA
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Clark Effect: Ratings and attendance boost could be on way for WNBA

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The basketball world can’t get enough of Caitlin Clark and now that the college season is over, next up is the WNBA draft. That’s never going to stop.” Clark has inspired countless young boys and girls to want to watch and attend college basketball games. There’s no reason to think it won’t as fans traveled across the …

Two-time defending champion Aces become the 1st WNBA team to sell out allotted season tickets
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Two-time defending champion Aces become the 1st WNBA team to sell out allotted season tickets

Associated Press  

HENDERSON, Nev. — The two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces became the first WNBA team to sell out its allotted season tickets, the club said Thursday. Las Vegas, which sold out its approximately 8,600 season tickets, led the league in attendance last season with 9,551 fans per game and had nine sellouts. Las Vegas, which opens its season on May …

Las Vegas Aces become first repeat WNBA champs in 21 years, beating New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4
1 year, 2 months ago

Las Vegas Aces become first repeat WNBA champs in 21 years, beating New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces secured their place as one of the greatest teams in WNBA history. To be in this moment right now and do it together, it speaks volumes about us, our chemistry.” Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon gestures to her team during the first half in Game 4 of a …

Is the WNBA witnessing the big breakthrough it’s been waiting for?
1 year, 2 months ago

Is the WNBA witnessing the big breakthrough it’s been waiting for?

LA Times  

Las Vegas center A’ja Wilson, left, grabs a rebound away from Connecticut forward DeWanna Bonner during Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals. “We increase viewership, that helps lead to more sponsors and advertising, it’ll put us in a stronger position as we head into negotiating our next round of media rights deals,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “It’s also a …

NBA Finals Game 5 tops prime-time, although viewership drops from last year
1 year, 6 months ago

NBA Finals Game 5 tops prime-time, although viewership drops from last year

LA Times  

Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, left, and Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the week’s top-rated program. The only other prime-time program between June 12 and Sunday to average more than 5 million viewers was NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” which averaged 5.96 million viewers. Its top-rated program outside the NBA Finals coverage was the 8 p.m. …

WNBA All-Star Game, Wimbledon finals see big audience gains: Sports on TV
2 years, 5 months ago

WNBA All-Star Game, Wimbledon finals see big audience gains: Sports on TV

New York Times  

We’re officially in the sports TV summer doldrums. A little down the list was an intriguing event when it comes to sports TV audiences: The 26th WNBA All-Star Game aired live at 1 p.m. on Sunday from Chicago’s Wintrust Arena and averaged 734,000 viewers on ABC, with a peak of 768,000. While pro sports All-Star Games have generally lost viewership …

WNBA teams to play record 36 games in regular season
3 years ago

WNBA teams to play record 36 games in regular season

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — WNBA teams will play a record 36 games in the regular season next year. “The 36-game schedule will provide fans greater opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “And year two of the Commissioner’s Cup brings added incentive to the first half …

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