TV Ratings: WNBA Off To An Aggressive Start

The WNBA opened its 28th season with a big splash after drawing its highest-attended opening month in 26 years.   Since opening on May 14, the league had its most-watched start of the season across every network: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION, and NBA TV.

The first month of the WNBA season saw remarkable attendance and television ratings. Here are the key highlights:

Attendance Surge: The WNBA experienced its highest attendance since its second season in 1998. More than 400,000 fans attended games during the first month, the most in 26 years. Arenas were filled to 94% capacity, a 17% increase from last year. Some games were moved to larger venues due to increased fan interest, such as Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever playing at the Washington Wizards’ downtown arena in front of 20,333 fans.

Television Ratings Soar: Across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION, and NBA TV, WNBA games averaged 1.32 million viewers. This nearly tripled last season’s average of 462,000. Hispanic viewership increased by 96%, and Black viewership rose by 67%. 

Merchandise:  Sales surged by 236% compared to the same period last year. Rookies Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink ranked in the top five for jersey sales during the first week of the season.

Positive Momentum: The WNBA’s sustained growth reflects the demand for women’s sports and diverse audiences engaging with the league. The addition of prominent rookies has contributed significantly to this heightened momentum.

The league’s chief growth officer, Colie Edison, emphasized that women’s sports remain a valuable investment. The WNBA’s success underscores the growing popularity of women’s basketball.