The WNBA's opening weekend saw a slight dip in viewership, with the Wings-Fever game averaging 1.4 million viewers on ABC, down from last year's record-breaking 2.7 million. This year's lineup featured rising stars like Azzi Fudd and Paige Buckers, but the absence of the highly anticipated Clark-Reese showdown may have contributed to the slight decline. Despite this, the game still ranked as the most-watched sporting event of the weekend outside of the NBA Playoffs and PGA Tour.
The second half of the doubleheader, a Mercury-Aces rematch, averaged 1.2 million viewers, down from last year's 1.3 million. The full doubleheader still managed to attract 1.85 million viewers, an improvement from the previous year's 1.53 million. These numbers reflect a broader trend in women's sports, as the NCAA women's basketball tournament also experienced a decline in early rounds but maintained a strong overall viewership.
ION's Opening Night doubleheader suffered a 41% drop in viewership, averaging 364,000 viewers, compared to last year's 612,000. The early window, featuring the Sun-Liberty and Toronto Tempo's inaugural game, saw a 35% decrease, while the late window's Valkyries-Storm game dropped by 39%.
The league's new broadcast partners, USA Network, averaged 529,000 viewers for the Aces-Sparks game, a significant increase from previous years. However, figures for the Wednesday doubleheader are yet to be released. This shift in broadcasting rights marks a new era for the WNBA, with the potential to reach a wider audience and attract more sponsors.
Despite the slight dip in viewership, the WNBA continues to make strides in growing its audience and building a strong following. The league's focus on showcasing diverse talent and creating compelling storylines has helped attract new fans and maintain interest. As the season progresses, the WNBA aims to build on this momentum and solidify its place in the sports landscape, offering a platform for women athletes to shine and inspire a global audience.
