The WNBA scores record viewership as women’s sports take center court
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Hard in the paint… The Women’s National Basketball Association just made a logo shot: the league said that May was its best attended opening month in 26 years, with more than half of all games selling out (up 156% on the year). Out of the stadium and into the living room, the WNBA said the start of this season was its most watched ever. Games averaged 1.3M+ viewers across major networks like ABC, ESPN, and CBS — up 3x from last season.
With the assist: The league credited stars Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and Kate Martin with driving more interest.
Interest = $$: The WNBA said merch sales have more than tripled on the year.
Puttin’ points on the board… Women’s sports are boomin’ beyond the WNBA. Last year’s women’s college volleyball attendance set records, and for the first time there will be an equal # of men and women competing in the Summer Olympics. Last year, global consulting biz Deloitte said women’s elite sports were expected to generate a record $1B in revenue this year, a 3x jump from 2021. In November, the National Women’s Soccer League announced a four-year media deal worth $240M with networks including CBS and ESPN. In January, ESPN sealed an eight-year, nearly $1B deal with the NCAA to show 21 women’s (and 19 men’s) events.
Everyone loves a winner… Analysts expect both collegiate and pro women’s sports to continue to see climbing viewership, sponsorship deals, and earnings. That could spin up a flywheel effect, with more money drawing in more athletes, sponsors, and fans, which draws in more investment. Rinse, repeat.