5 months, 2 weeks ago

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

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 rookie season, the WNBA will expand its regular season schedule to 44 games and will bump up the finals to a best-of-seven series Additionally, the league says the First Round of the playoffs - a best-of-three series - will now take on a 1-1-1 format which will see teams alternate hosting contests. 'We are seeing an incredible demand for WNBA basketball, as reflected in the number of cities pursuing expansion franchises, fans attending games and engaging with our social and digital platforms in record fashion, and game broadcasts and streams being consumed like never before,' said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. 'The incredible demand for WNBA basketball makes this the ideal time to increase the regular season to 44 games per team and expand the WNBA Finals,' Engelbert continued.

Games Season Caitlin Clark Wnba League Expand 44 Games games wnba change makes finals clarks team caitlin league 44 major regular capitalize season expand impact notably

History of this topic

1 week, 2 days ago

CBS to show 2 primetime matchups between Caitlin Clark and Indiana vs Angel Reese and Chicago

Associated Press

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will have two of their games broadcast in primetime nationally for the first time in league history. The WNBA will have more than 175 games broadcast across multiple platforms in the regular season, including 13 on ABC. “The WNBA is coming off a 2024 season in which incredible basketball and countless memorable performances paved the …

2 months, 4 weeks ago

Tom Brady walks away, WNBA ratings soar, and ESPN snags CP3: 2025 Sports Media Predictions

New York Times

The famous wrestler Sting, in describing his character change in 1996 from a clear babyface to a darker, enigmatic character, offered the perfect axiom about predicting the future. Tom Brady will walk away from broadcasting before the start of the 2025 NFL season I’ve previously said I’d put down big money that Brady will not finish his 10-year, $375 million …

3 months, 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 …

3 months, 3 weeks ago

WNBA season to tip May 16 with expansion Golden State Valkyries opening at home that night

Associated Press

NEW YORK — 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 the expansion Golden State Valkyries. “We look forward to tipping off the WNBA’s 29th season in May of 2025 and continuing to build on …

3 months, 4 weeks ago

WNBA releases 2025 schedule: The Valkyries’ debut, record games per team and matchups to watch

New York Times

WNBA teams will play a record 44 games during the 2025 regular season, which begins with a Friday, May 16 slate that includes the Golden State Valkyries’ home debut. In addition to the Valkyries’ first game, the opening weekend of the season features the Indiana Fever hosting the Chicago Sky, the New York Liberty hosting the Las Vegas Aces and …

5 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 …

5 months ago

2024 WNBA season: A historic year for women’s basketball, both on and off the court

CNN

CNN — With confetti falling from the rafters, a boisterous Brooklyn crowd bellowing and the victorious New York Liberty celebrating, the curtain fell on the 2024 WNBA season. “It was this perfect storm of the league growing exponentially, and then you hit this season where the college game really gave the WNBA a boost,” veteran WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson told …

5 months, 1 week ago

After a landmark WNBA season, what’s next as women’s basketball continues to surge?

New York Times

On Sunday night, New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello proclaimed with exuberance that her team’s WNBA championship was one for the history books. “The finals mark the culmination of what I think is the most transformational year in the WNBA’s history,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert said last week before the finals. MOST-VIEWED WNBA FINALS IN 25 YEARS 🔥🎉 pic.twitter.com/P0Sj7M6s9u — …

5 months, 1 week ago

WNBA Finals Reach Decisive Game 5 for First Time Since 2019 as Liberty and Lynx Head to New York

Associated Press

It's the first time in 5 years that the WNBA Finals will go to a Game 5. The Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty will battle it out in the Big Apple on Sunday night, with the winner claiming the championship. Both teams have been battling for the entire series, with the game being incredibly close throughout. Minnesota has the …

5 months, 1 week ago

It’s been a historically popular season for the WNBA

NPR

It’s been a historically popular season for the WNBA Game 4 of the WNBA Finals Friday night may mark the end of a historic season for the league, with records broken in TV ratings and attendance. ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: A historic season for the WNBA could come to a close tonight as the New York Liberty look to clinch a …

5 months, 2 weeks ago

How the WNBA went from an ‘existential’ moment to record success

New York Times

In spring 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic upended the country, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was locked down in her New Jersey home. “I don’t know if we would have made it, but I do know we wouldn’t be where we are today without having had that highly competitive 22-game season in the bubble,” Engelbert said. Four years after the “Wubble,” …

6 months, 1 week ago

Caitlin Clark’s first WNBA playoff game was a blowout loss … but a win for ABC viewers

New York Times

If you are a sports media nerd, Sunday was an interesting day. The network sent its top WNBA broadcasting crew to Connecticut — Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe — to call the game, and prior to the tip, ABC aired a 30-minute edition of “WNBA Countdown.” That pregame show provides value for viewers, including what is already a …

6 months, 1 week ago

How big should ESPN go on Caitlin Clark during WNBA playoffs? Our experts debate

New York Times

You always want a viewership story to sell if you are a professional sports league and the WNBA has a great metrics story to sell in 2024. The WNBA had 22 regular-season games that averaged more than 1 million viewers — the first time since 2008 that a WNBA game topped one million viewers. There were seven games on ION …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

The Caitlin Clark Effect! ESPN reports record viewers for WNBA regular season up 170% from last year

Daily Mail

6 months, 3 weeks ago

WNBA power rankings: Will the Chicago Sky slip out of playoff contention?

New York Times

Read the latest WNBA Power Rankings After focusing on the top half of the playoff bracket last week, it’s time to check in on a surprisingly spirited race for the eighth seed. If it seems like the Wings also will land outside the top eight, missing the postseason would ensure that Chicago at least gets a lottery pick, even if …

6 months, 4 weeks ago

WNBA 'adds 15th franchise as it agrees to expand to another West Coast city' amid league's plans to bring new teams to San Francisco and Toronto

Daily Mail

Riding a historic wave of success in 2024, the WNBA will reportedly be expanding to Portland with the league's 15th franchise. Saturday's news is another example of the league's rapid growth amid Caitlin Clark's wildly successful rookie season in Indiana. With the arrival of rookies Clark and Angel Reese, not to mention Sabrina Ionescu's breakout season in New York, the …

7 months, 2 weeks 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 …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

NBA releases 2024-25 season schedule: Knicks vs. Celtics, Timberwolves vs. Lakers to play opening night

New York Times

Although NBA action is still months away, the league released the full schedule for the 2024-25 season. The first five days of the 2024-25 regular season will feature 11 national television games as part of @Kia NBA Tip-Off 2024, with two doubleheaders each on @NBAonTNT and @ESPNNBA and a tripleheader on @NBATV. How NBA scheduling process works Here’s how the …

8 months ago

WNBA announces landmark 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC

Associated Press

More than 100 WNBA regular-season games will be broadcast each season through an 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC that the league announced Wednesday. “These agreements allow the league to continue to build a long-term and sustainable growth model for the future of women’s basketball and sports which will benefit WNBA players, teams and fans.” The …

8 months ago

WNBA All-Star Game has record 3.44 million viewers, the league's 3rd most watched event ever

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The WNBA All-Star Game drew …

8 months, 1 week ago

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert excited about league’s new media rights deal

Associated Press

PHOENIX — The WNBA has the framework in place for a $2.2 billion, 11-year media rights deal as part of the NBA’s massive, recently approved deal. WNBA players union executive director Terri Jackson has expressed concerns about the league being undervalued in the NBA’s $76 billion deal approved by its board of governors earlier this week, but Commissioner Cathy Engelbert …

8 months, 1 week ago

WNBA players’ union leader is concerned the league is undervalued in NBA rights deal

LA Times

Sparks forward Dearica Hamby brings the ball down the court against the Atlanta Dream during the 2024 season. The WNBA players’ union’s leader is concerned the league’s latest media rights deal is too low. The executive director of the WNBA players’ union is concerned the league is being undervalued with the $2.2 billion over 11 years it will receive as …

8 months, 1 week ago

WNBA players' union head concerned league is being undervalued in new media deal

The Independent

8 months, 1 week ago

WNBA players’ union leader is concerned league being undervalued in new media rights deal

Associated Press

PHOENIX — The executive director of the WNBA players’ union is concerned the league is being undervalued with the $2.2 billion over 11 years it will receive as part of the NBA’s recently approved media rights deals. “We have wondered for months how the NBA would value the WNBA in its media rights deal,” executive director of the union Terri …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Here’s what you need to know about the NBA’s upcoming 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal

Associated Press

The NBA might not be happy with the NFL making Christmas Day a regular part of its schedule. The deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC and Amazon Prime Video will average $6.9 billion per season. It will cost Disney $2.6 billion per year, which is just shy of the $2.7 billion per season it pays to the NFL for “Monday Night Football,” …

9 months, 1 week ago

WNBA moving high profile game to accommodate NBA Draft is another self-inflicted fumble

New York Times

The WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup is supposed to be the crown jewel of the league’s regular season. Yet on Monday, eight days before the Commissioner’s Cup title game between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, the WNBA announced it is moving the contest to UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. Keeping the event in New York was a bet the WNBA …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

WNBA backed by Caitlin Clark continues to hemorrhage money despite record attendance and ratings

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Despite the recent explosion …

9 months, 2 weeks 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 …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Caitlin Clark helps the WNBA smash MORE records with attendance figures, TV viewership and merchandise sales all booming

Daily Mail

Caitlin Clark's impact continues to be felt around the WNBA as the No. After a headline-grabbing opening month upon Clark's entry, the W announced on Monday that over 400,000 fans attended games in May. Across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and CBS, WNBA games are averaging 1.32 million viewers - which is nearly triple last season's standard of 462,200 viewers. Caitlin Clark's …

10 months ago

New 3-on-3 league promises highest average pay in pro women’s basketball

New York Times

A couple of years ago, after her Minnesota Lynx played a game in Los Angeles, Napheesa Collier was having a casual conversation with Alex Bazzell about Collier’s experience as a professional women’s basketball player. The new women’s basketball league revealed its ownership model Thursday along with a star-studded list of investors, including Alex Morgan, Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, Megan Rapinoe, …

10 months, 1 week ago

WNBA officially expanding to Toronto, first franchise to exist outside U.S.

New York Times

The WNBA is officially expanding outside the United States. Toronto, the most populous city in Canada, will be home to the league’s 14th franchise, the WNBA announced Thursday at a news conference. Women’s sports has arrived.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri, Raptors forward Scottie Barnes and Philadelphia 76ers …

10 months, 1 week ago

WNBA enters a new era with sweeping changes. Is it ready for the moment?

New York Times

INDIANAPOLIS — At a hotel near Caitlin Clark’s home arena in downtown Indianapolis, a sponsor’s 150-foot banner teased, “It is just getting started,” as the Indiana Fever star’s first WNBA games drew throngs of fans in-person and on television. “We’ve been planting these seeds for the last two decades,” said Aces forward Alysha Clark, who is in her 12th season. …

10 months, 2 weeks 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 …

10 months, 2 weeks 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 …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

The WNBA’s challenge: How to translate the Caitlin Clark hype into sustained growth for the league

Associated Press

The stars seemingly have aligned for the WNBA with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese joining the ranks of A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and others. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said everyone involved needs to be more innovative in how players and games are marketed and promoted to take advantage of the potential tsunami for both the league and women’s …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

The WNBA's challenge: How to translate the Caitlin Clark hype into sustained growth for the league

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The one thing we’ve always done as players is …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Five storylines for WNBA’s 28th season: From Caitlin Clark to Aces’ three-peat bid

LA Times

There are plenty of storylines for the 2024 WNBA season, from the arrival of Caitlin Clark to the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces’ bid for a three-peat. Fever pitch Clark, college basketball’s all-time leading scorer, decided to forgo her final season of eligibility to enter the WNBA draft and was selected by Indiana with the top pick, setting off …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Caitlin Clark is already creating seismic change in the WNBA

ABC

In Short: WNBA teams are moving matches to larger stadiums in advance, as the competition experiences 'unprecedented' popularity. Players, coaches and fans the world over are gearing up for what is already a transformative season for the WNBA, headlined by record-smashing number-one draftee Caitlin Clark. Players and coaches said radical change has arrived for the WNBA, after decades of the …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

WNBA franchise awarded to Toronto for 2026 season, according to media reports

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The reported deal would have Toronto’s WNBA team start …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

WNBA addresses safety concerns by launching full-time charter flight program

LA Times

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks before the WNBA draft on April 15. Engelbert says the WNBA is planning to use league-wide charter flights “as soon as practical” for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The WNBA will use league-wide charter flights for the first time this season, the league announced Thursday. “We are thrilled to announce the launch of a full …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

WNBA to begin full-time charter flights this season, commissioner says

Associated Press

The WNBA plans to commit $50 million over the next two years to provide full-time charter flight service for its teams during the season, the league’s commissioner announced Tuesday in a move that addresses years of player safety concerns. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a meeting with sports editors that the league will launch a charter program “as soon as …

10 months, 4 weeks ago

Will the WNBA consider a schedule change? Answering your WNBA mailbag questions

New York Times

The WNBA preseason tips off tomorrow! Clashing with the NBA is an issue because of the shared facilities, and the NCAA is simply a more popular entity — the WNBA doesn’t want its playoffs competing with college games on television. The WNBA could shorten its season to avoid those challenges, but it doesn’t make sense for a growing league to …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese hope to carry over college momentum to the WNBA

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and a deep WNBA draft class hope the momentum they created lifting women’s college basketball to new heights carries over to the pros. “We’re not just basketball players, we’re super impactful to the community, the people around us, the little kids that look up to us, and being able to also be nationwide, …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

2024 WNBA Draft smashes record with 2.4 million viewers, a 307 percent increase over 2023

New York Times

You tuned in for Monday’s 2024 WNBA Draft. Monday’s draft, featuring Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and a ton of other star college basketball players, averaged a record 2.446 million viewers, a head-spinning 307 percent increase in viewership over last year. Last year averaged 572,000 viewers on ESPN, which was up 42 percent over 2022 and the most-watched WNBA …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

WNBA will pay for flights for playoffs and back-to-backs. Expansion to 16 teams possible by 2028

Associated Press

NEW YORK — The WNBA will once again pay for charter flights for the entire playoffs as well as for back-to-back games during the upcoming season that require air travel, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Monday. We need to be in the right financial position,” Engelbert said before the WNBA draft Monday night. “It will happen before the college draft and …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

WNBA expansion headed for 16 teams, commissioner says. Portland, Toronto, Philly options

New York Times

NEW YORK — The WNBA is looking to continue growing in the next few years. The league announced earlier this year that the Bay Area would receive an expansion team for a 13th league franchise, which is expected to start playing the 2025 season. Its current TV deals with ESPN, CBS, Amazon and Ion run out after the 2025 season, …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever to have most national appearances on WNBA broadcast schedule

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Call it the Caitlin Clark effect. The WNBA will show 36 of the Indiana Fever’s 40 games on its national broadcast and streaming partners, starting with the season opener at Connecticut on May 14. The Fever, who are expected to take Clark first in the WNBA draft on Monday, will appear eight times across ABC, ESPN and …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

2024 WNBA mock draft: Where will Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso land?

New York Times

The 2023-24 college season featured more star power than any in recent memory, and the good news for WNBA fans is that many of those players will be back on the court quickly. GO DEEPER South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso's 4,000-mile journey to the top Jacy Sheldon | 5-10 guard | Ohio State Now that Georgia Amoore isn’t an option …

11 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 …

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Prime Volleyball League season 4 set to begin in October

The Hindu

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