Use Ask Statista Research Service. In particular, the deciding Game 3 of the Finals fit perfectly the formula that Lewis has observed tends to serve up the best ratings for the league. 5 seeded Washington Mystics and the 2022 WNBA leader in assists Natasha Cloud meet the fourth seeded Seattle Storm and the leagues leader in scoring Breanna Stewart on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. The St. Louis Blues are averaging 3.05 goals per game, 3.64 goals against per game, 20.7% on the power play, and 76.7% on the penalty kill. It fell by 35% in the key 18-48 demographic. ESPN is making it easy to watch the Draft, Bria Felicien, the creator of The Black Sportswoman, said. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. "Level of Interest in Wnba in The United States as of May 2022, by Gender. No, the NBA won't get axed. Across 17 games, the 2021 playoffs averaged 367,000 viewers, 63 per cent higher than the entire 2020 postseason (226,000 average viewers) and 42 per cent higher than 2019 (258,000 average. All Rights Reserved, Pay disparity between NBA, WNBA is a numbers game, Draymond Green, one of those highly paid male players, poured a little gas on the fire, the WNBA has lost an average of $10 million every year it has existed. If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again. Register in seconds and access exclusive features. Accessed March 05, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108312/women-national-basketball-association-interest-gender/, Morning Consult. During opening weekend in 2021, WNBA viewership soared 25% versus the prior year. Regardless, the inevitable "Steenerico" reunion to take down The Bloodline . Because it's time., This is a BETA experience. Viewership increased 23% from last year's three-game sweep (Storm-Aces: 444K) and up 43% from the five-game Mystics-Sun series in 2019 (381K). Game 2 (Oct. 13, ESPN) became the most-viewed Game 2 since 2003 and the most-viewed Finals game since 2017s Game 5. 92-59 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals to win the Championship at Feld Entertainment Center on October 06, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. I think the social media engagement was so it was different than last year, it was more intense, everyone was more excited. . Which leads us here: The average NBA salary is about $7.5 million; according to the league, the average WNBA salary in 2019 was reportedly about $116,000, but a new collective bargaining agreement which runs from 2020 to 2027 provides a 53% pay increase, plus maternity leave at full salary, $5,000 for child care, and as much as $60,000 for adoption, surrogacy, egg freezing and fertility treatments. The first and second rounds are single-elimination games. And average league-wide attendance tends to be heaviest in August each year. statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account. . The WNBAs problem is simple: It doesnt generate the interest or the revenue to support a pay structure anywhere close to what the mens game can offer. Be an ally, be inclusive and be consistent when reporting or putting quality content out there about the WNBA. For the first time in league history, the WNBA used in-game wearables by KINEXON and optical tracking technology by Hawk-Eye to generate 3D immersive highlights, which were used in real time during Prime Videos broadcast of the inaugural WNBA Commissioners Cup Championship Game. The BarDown Podcast. Connecticut's Diana Taurasi, left, is presented with a Phoenix Mercury jersey by WNBA President Val [+] Ackerman, right, after the Mercury chose her as the No. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. However, the average viewership for the 2020 finals increased 15% to 440,000. If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again. For the 2021 season, the WNBA's combined viewership averaged 306,000 viewers across Disney networks (ABC, ESPN) and CBS Television Network. The 2022 No. We made the roster requirements . AT&T WNBA 2022 All-Star Game became the most viewed All-Star Game in 6 years, averaging 734,000 viewers, up 53 percent over last years event. The drop of new jerseys alone yielded over 69 million impressions on drop day. SportsPro. On TNT, in the measurement from 2011-12, NBA viewership is down 40%. The NBA and WNBA have little in common, other than they play the same sport. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236723/wnba-regular-season-viewers/, Average TV viewers of the WNBA regular season from 2016 to 2022, Available to download in PNG, PDF, XLS format, Average franchise value in major U.S. sports leagues 2007-2020, Average franchise value of National Basketball Association teams 2001-2022, Total revenue of the National Basketball Association 2001-2022, Teams of the NBA ranked by revenue 2021/22, NBA league & teams sponsorship revenue 2010-2022, Average operating income of National Basketball Association teams 2001-2022, Operating income of National Basketball Association franchises in 2022, NBA Finals TV viewership in the U.S. 2000-2022, NBA Finals TV ratings in the U.S. 2002-2022, Average U.S. TV ratings of NBA Finals 2022, Average viewers of the NBA Finals in the U.S. 2022, Total attendance at National Basketball Association regular season games 2006-2022, NBA regular season home attendance by team 2021/22, Average per game attendance in the NBA from 2005-2022, NBA regular season average home attendance by team 2021/22, Construction costs of NBA stadiums/arenas built since 2000, Federal subsidy to NBA stadiums built since 2002, NBA interest level in the U.S. 2022, by ethnicity, National Basketball Association (NBA) interest levels worldwide 2021, NBA number of Facebook fans/Twitter followers 2012-2022, National Basketball Association salary cap 2012-2023, Minimum player salary per year in NBA 2017-2024, Average player expenses of National Basketball Association teams 2001-2022, Player expenses in the NBA by team in 2022, National Basketball Association highest-paid players in salaries & endorsements 2023, National Basketball Association all-time rebounding leaders 1946-2022, National Basketball Association all-time minutes leaders 1946-2022, Regular season attendance WNBA games 2022, Average U.S. TV ratings of NBA playoffs 2018, Average U.S. TV ratings selected NBA games 2018, NCAA basketball March Madness TV viewership selected games 2013, NCAA basketball March Madness TV viewership selected games 2014, Average NCAA football TV viewership by conference, Average NCAA basketball TV viewership by conference 2011, Super Bowl viewers in the U.S. 2017-2023, by platform, Distribution of NBA television audience during 2012-2013 regular season, by income, Distribution of NBA regular season TV audience 2014, by ethnicity, Age breakdown of NBA TV audience during 2013 regular season, Average TV viewership of selected NCAA football games 2017, Gender breakdown of NBA television audience in 2013 regular season, Women's World Cup viewership in the U.S. 2015, Women's World Cup viewership habits in the U.S. 2019, Number of Adult Swim viewers in the U.S. 2014-2021, Most common online methods of finding TV shows Australia 2017, Average TV viewers of the WNBA regular season from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s), Find your information in our database containing over 20,000 reports. Got a confidential news tip? Sunday's Game 1 of the ALCS on TBS drew 2.07 million viewers. I cover the Phoenix Suns as well as the broader NBA and WNBA, PALMETTO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Breanna Stewart, #30 of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket against A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Feld Entertainment Center on October 02, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. News Archive; Media Central; Game Notes; 2022-23 Dream Overseas Updates; 2023 Schedule Release; Team Store. The 2021 WNBA Finals on ESPN networks and ABC - Chicago Sky victory over the Phoenix Mercury - averaged 548,000 viewers across four games, a 23 percent increase from 2020 (447,000 average viewers in three games) and a 42 percent surge from 2019 (386,000 average viewers in five games). This season represented the first time the Sky were represented in the top team merchandise rankings since 2016 thats the Candace Parker effect! Digital: A record was set for the traffic the WNBA site saw online. [Online]. Recently, Draymond Green, one of those highly paid male players, poured a little gas on the fire by offering his opinions on the subject (in short, the women shouldnt complain). The WNBAs Covid-disrupted 2020 regular season averaged 205,000 viewers across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Sparks reported just 18,319 attendees in 2021. You cant ask for anything better than to have a 15 percent increase (for the Finals) when the NBA Finals is down 49 percent, John Lewis of Paulsen Sports Media Watch said last October. You need a Statista Account for unlimited access. The showdown between UConn and Baylor in the Elite Eight round was themost-watched NCAA Tournament game in 10 years, excluding Final Four matchups, reported Forbes. This may not be a world title match like some viewers hoped, but Cody Rhodes seems destined to topple The Tribal Chief. Complement's plant-based kitchen sweepstakes Weather report: Study shows bovine meat and milk factors linked to colorectal cancer, Farm Rich plant-based mozzarella sticks in Walmart and Kroger, plant-based raw tuna coming to San Francisco restaurants The Beer You Should Order, Based on Your Zodiac Sign (Best Life . As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail. Season. The NBA opened the 2020-21 season to a strong start after enjoying the most-watched opening week since 2012, with combined viewership up 67% compared to last year. The 2023 World Baseball Classic, the first since 2017, will get underway on Tuesday, March 7. The league reported 387,000 average viewers last year, up 123 percent from 2019. Furthermore, the 2021 NCAA Womens Final Four pulled some of itshighest viewership numbersever. Statistics; Cookie statement . Black History Month: Emerging Leaders | Renee Montgomery: An Owner with a Players Perspective, WNBA Draft 2023 Presented By State Farm To Be Held On April 10th. Atlanta Dream Team Store; . ESPN added 13 games to their 2020 broadcast slate after their opening weekend broadcast was up. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun), The Early Returns Of Kevin Durant In The Phoenix Suns Offense, Bayern Munich Remain First But Must Switch Off Complacency Ahead Of PSG Fixture, New England Patriots Reportedly Set To Release Brian Hoyer, Leaving Two In The Quarterback Room, Liverpool Legend Roberto Firmino Reportedly Offers Himself To FC Barcelona, Brock Lesnar Reportedly Finishing Up Current WWE Run, Xavi Speaks On FC Barcelonas Defensive Masterclass Against Real Madrid Ahead Of Valencia Clash, Manchester City Ready To Sell Bernardo Silva To FC Barcelona And Name Asking Price - Reports, FC Barcelona And Real Madrid Presidents Met To Discuss European Super League Strategy Before El Clasico - Reports, most-watched NCAA Tournament game in 10 years. The latter doesnt produce the same revenues or interest as the mens game (quick, name five of the best LPGA players). As a media company, I would align with the WNBAs fan culture on social, Scott said. A bigger cut for the players means higher subsidies from their benefactor. There was just more interest because everything has been more available, starting with the college games. Today's top WNBA players can earn upwards of $500,000, courtesy of last year's landmark collective bargaining agreement, which guaranteed new maternity benefits and better travel conditions. Numbers were significantly impacted by the pandemic this year, as many teams only allowed severely limited attendance until after the Olympic break. The MLB World Series averaged 13.91 million viewers nationally, down 1.3% from last year. Team Stats. According to WNBA statistics, 75 percent of the fans in attendance at a WNBA game are female. And the entire Finals series averaged 548,000 viewers, making it also the most watched since 2017. NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2021 The WNBA capped off its historic 25th regular season by delivering its most-watched season since 2008 for its television partners ABC, CBS, ESPN and ESPN2 with viewership up 51% over the 2020 season, and by setting records for merchandise sales online and engagement across its social media platforms. Chart. Create your account and get enhanced access to all the latest stories. . If you buy something from a link on our site, Queen Ballers Club may earn a commission. As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic. They did that during the NBC days. Show publisher information Add in the leagues partnership with CBS Sports Network as well as Facebook and Twitter, and nearly every game was televised for a national audience in 2020. WNBA DELIVERS MOST-WATCHED REGULAR SEASON SINCE 2008 US broadcaster ESPN has revealed that viewership of the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been up significantly during the early weeks of the 2021 regular season. 4), and the Chicago Sky (No. St. Louis was out shot by a total of 25-23 and went 2-3 on the power play in the win. The Olympics didnt allow women to run an event longer than 800 meters until the 1972 Games, when the 1,500-meter run was added to the program; meanwhile, the men were also contesting longer distances 3,000-meter steeplechase, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and the marathon. That year, the minimum regular season attendance was on a Wednesday, with, The Miami Sols best highest attended regular season game was July 17, 2002 against the Sacramento Monarchs, with. system, which features three uniform editions for each of the 12 teams, WNBA merchandise on The WNBA Store saw record growth this season with a 50% increase over last year. (September 21, 2022). (But) there will be more opportunities for that coming up next season.. NBA games average 2 million TV viewers per game;WNBA games averaged 246,000 viewers during the 2019 regular season, according to Sports Media Watch (well ignore the 2020 season impacted by the pandemic). Half of that 66% are Black males despite the fact that black men make up around 7% of the US population as a whole. That means they have an opportunity to keep growing, and are popular online where those fans who do not tune in live. WNBA basketball. The WNBA reported a 51% increase in viewership over the regular season in 2020. TV viewership will be essential for Silver's league as it returns to a standard 82-game format. 5) followed. It might not be fair, but it is reality. As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic. But not womens basketball college or pro (according to the NCAA, the average attendance for college basketball for the 2018-19 season was 1,625 for Division I women and 5,650 for Division I men). WNBA Stats and History Statistics, scores, and history for the Women's National Basketball Association. Her Oregon teammates Satou Sabally (second overall to Dallas Wings) and Ruthy Hebard (eighth overall to Chicago Sky) also went in the first round. The best of the best: the portal for top lists & rankings: Strategy and business building for the data-driven economy: Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail. ", Morning Consult, Level of interest in WNBA in the United States as of May 2022, by gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108312/women-national-basketball-association-interest-gender/ (last visited March 05, 2023), Level of interest in WNBA in the United States as of May 2022, by gender [Graph], Morning Consult, May 26, 2022. A WNBA roster has a maximum of 12 players, whereas an NBA roster has a maximum of 15 players and a minimum of 12. The Women's National Basketball Association concluded its 25th anniversary season with another positive sign for viewership for its championship series. The Pac-12 and SEC commissioners will be bringing NIL issues to lawmakers, High school girls golf: 3A region recaps, Richfield, Morgan, Union and Judge Memorial claim region titles, High school boys soccer: 3A/2A second round recap from Wednesdays games, It reportedly wont be long until the Mountain West Conference eliminates divisions, Change may be on the way for the transfer portal and college football recruiting. The WNBA Playoffs will feature a maximum of 27 games, all available across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, the ESPN App and NBA TV. The result was the second-best viewership of the entire season, with 579,000 fans tuning in. The ideal entry-level account for individual users. Overall, WNBA ratings were down, but the Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the Seattle Storm were up 15% from the 2019 five-game series between the Aces and the Washington Mystics the year prior. ET. You can only download this statistic as a Premium user. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun). Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. How do you get that bias out of that valuation model? Super Bowl averages 113 million viewers, 3rd-most watched in history The Kansas City Chiefs' 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl LVII is on pace to become the third most-watched [] The league is nearly irrelevant to the average sports fan. That parts crazy to me. The NBA has 30 teams, the WNBA 12. This year, ESPNs 2021 WNBA schedule featured 24 regular season games, as well as the WNBA Playoffs and Finals, the WNBA All-Star Game, and the annual WNBA Draft. Los Angeles is the driving force behind MLB ratings this October, so the Dodgers advancing would. That is a 49% increase compared to 2020 and 24% increase to 2019. . Profit from the additional features of your individual account. Yet that unfortunately was the same night the Clippers lost Game 7 to the underdog Denver Nuggets on ESPN, which earned 5.2 million viewers, a very strong number for the NBA pre-conference finals, Lewis said. You need at least a Starter Account to use this feature. Minnesota Lynxs Sylvia Fowles, in the final game of her illustrious career, became the first player in league history to log 4,000 career rebounds and Seattle Storms Sue Bird scored her 1,000. WNBA's ESPN viewership up 74% after five games of 2021 season Women's basketball league averaging 357,000 viewers across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. And the new-age distributed sports network and brand, Overtime, reported that in 2021, OT WBB, their TikTok handle focused on womens basketball was in the top 25 of all sports media accounts on TikTok. The Christmas Day lineup netted a 10% increase in viewership, with the Dallas Mavericks and Lakers contest averaging 7.01 million viewers. At the same time, the leagues digital footprint tells a slightly different story. Liston 7 pts 2 reb 2 ast (gets back up minutes at 2/3 behind the starters and Wright 10-15 min) Hooper 7 pts 3 reb (backs up Powell, Hodges, TJJ, and GloJo at 3 and 4 for 15-20 minutes a night) Marshall 5 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 stl (gets 10-15 minutes off bench behind Carson and Cappie at the 2 spot) Sims barely edges out Ogwumike for rookie of the . Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury mostly held steady. "Level of interest in WNBA in the United States as of May 2022, by gender." You may opt-out by. So while television ratings were down 16 percent in the regular season, the league was pleased to simply be on more screens and in more minds during a blitz of sports in the late summer. The league started the 25thseason by introducing its new official game ball by Wilson Sporting Goods through a new multiyear global partnership. 2 Las Vegas Aces earned a double bye into the WNBA Semifinals (third round). [Online]. PALMETTO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 06: The Seattle Storm celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Aces [+] 92-59 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals to win the Championship at Feld Entertainment Center on October 06, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. Still, there were times that WNBA oversaturation bit the league. Lets first take a look at the last two WNBA Drafts. Dont just show up for the big moments because WNBA fans and their athletes know this. Viewership is up 89% from the 2020 MLB playoffs and there is a 3% spike from the playoffs in 2019. The WNBA averaged 413,000 viewers in that year. ESPN added 13 games to their 2020 broadcast slate after their opening weekend broadcast was up 20% year-over-year. According to Statista, the average TV viewers of the WNBA regular season in 2016 was 224,000 and grew to 246,000 in 2019. Bill Laimbeer, a four-time NBA All-Star, was known as one of the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" when they won NBA championships in 1989 . Also viewership for the seasons opening weekend rose 325% in Canada. An average of 379,000 viewers watched WNBA games on ABC, ESPN and CBS, the league said Wednesday, a 16% increase from 2021. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. LPGA golfers face the same challenge. The league started the 25th season by introducing its new official game ball by Wilson Sporting Goods through a new multiyear global partnership. All Rights Reserved. TheSeattle Stormled the league in team merchandise sold. Over the whole season, they didnt get a single situation where they were leading into the NBA or the NBA was leading into them. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. Draft coverage peaked at about 463,000 viewers. July's All-Star Game averaged 734,000 viewers, a 53% increase.. The regular season takes place in summer from May to August and the play-offs in. Considering the circumstances, the WNBA will likely come away from its 2020 season content with the way it was able to connect with fans, especially from its Bubble in south Florida. The St. Louis Blues are 27-29-5 this season after they defeated the San Jose Sharks by a score of 6-3 in their last game. We want to hear from you. So today, well take break down the leagues growth. The WNBA Draft, held Monday on ESPN, averaged 403,000 viewers, the network announced a 20% increase from last year's draft and the most since 2004. Well, either way, its a tough sell for a league that cant turn a profit and survives on handouts from the NBA. Use Ask Statista Research Service, The source phrased the question as, "In general, would you describe yourself as an avid fan, a casual fan or not a fan of each of the following? The 2021 NBA Playoffs overall (inclusive of Finals) averaged 4.25 million viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, up 35% vs. the 2020 postseason. Last year, Sabrina Ionescu went first to New York. Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionesculed the league in jersey sales. Currently, you are using a shared account. In the leagues previous 25 seasons, a total of just nine regular-season triple-doubles had been recorded with no more than one in a given season. Learn more about how Statista can support your business. The leagues fixtures were averaging 357,000 viewers across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 after the first five games of the current campaign, which is the WNBAs 25th season. Back in 2020, the WNBA and the Womens National Basketball Players Association signed a landmark collective bargaining agreement. The WNBA fails to generate even one percent of the NBA's $8-$9 billion in revenue. Take the Orange Hoodie campaign in which the league partnered with ESPN and athletes across sport to push its signature orange logo hoodie, sold by Fanatics, as well as general excitement in the lead-up to its opening weekend in late July. The 2003 championship featuring the Los Angeles Sparks and Detroit Shock remains the league's most-watch finals. 4), andBreanna Stewart(No. Game 1 (Oct. 10, ABC) was the most-viewed opening game of the WNBA Finals since 2017, registering 456,000 viewers and peaking with 547,000. In that year, the WNBA averaged 413,000 viewers. G Games Played. By this date in 2019, 15 college football games averaged at least a 3.0 ratings. ESPN also. Theres a big gap between PGA Tour and LPGA Tour prize money. The championship game (Oct. 17, ESPN) registered 417,000 viewers and peaked with 623,000 viewers, up 32 percent from 2019s Game 4 between the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics. Most Super Bowl wins by NFL team 1967-2023, Average ticket price in the NFL by team 2021, FIFA World Ranking: top male soccer teams 2022, Athletic footwear global market share by company 2015, Health & Fitness Clubs - Statistics & Facts, Sporting goods industry in the U.S. - statistics & facts, Research expert covering sports and video gaming, Profit from additional features with an Employee Account. Stats say that 66% of WNBA viewers are actually male. The league also reached several milestones including new sponsors, merchandise, distribution, and technology. You cant ask for anything better than to have a 15% increase (for the Finals) when the NBA Finals is down 49%, John Lewis of Paulsen Sports Media Watch said. Early metrics still showed spikes in WNBA viewership, with Game 1 racking up an average of 555,000 viewers for the most-viewed Finals' opener in five years. According to Burack, who also cited Nielsen data, TNT's slate of NBA games declined by 19 percent compared to 2019 (from 1.5 million to 1.2 million viewers per game) while ESPN's offerings . Revenues, of course, are not to be confused with profits. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. The strong showing in 2021 made it the most-viewed postseason since 2014. The 2021 WNBA Finals on ESPN networks and ABC - Chicago Sky victory over the Phoenix Mercury - averaged 548,000 viewers across four games, a 23 percent increase from 2020 (447,000 average viewers . WNBA Viewership of 2020 WNBA Finals up 15 percent from 2019 In a time when many of America's major professional sports leagues are struggling to maintain their usual viewership, the 2020. WNBA fans are between 2 to 6.6 times more likely than an average sports fan to be interested in politics and especially womens rights, said Niky Scott, a customer success manager at Zoomph. According to The Athletic, the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game peaked at 768,000 viewers. What percentage of WNBA viewers are female? National Basketball Association all-time triple double leaders 1946-2022, Value of National Basketball Association franchises 2022, National Basketball Association all-time assists leaders 1946-2023. Game 3 (Oct.15, ESPN2) notched 524,000 viewers and peaked at 591,000, making it the most-viewed non-title-clinching Game 3 since the 2007 WNBA Finals. Nobody wants to acknowledge that some sports translate better than others for both men and women, for whatever reason. Womens basketball has steadily increased viewership year-over-year. Much has happened since the NBA Board approved the concept of the WNBA. As for the WNBA post-season, it was the most viewed since 2014. That likely gives the WNBA a roadmap forward and helps create a proof of concept for a league that is engaged politically and socially while remaining popular among sports fans. May 26, 2022. Under the CBA, base salaries increase to $130,000 and the leagues elite players can earn upward of $500,000. Who is new Runnin Ute Keba Keita and how is Utahs 2022-23 roster shaping up? Official Release to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time. The 2021 WNBA regular season averaged 306,000 viewers, up 49 percent compared to 2020 and 24 percent to 2019, ESPN announced Thursday. The introduction of the NWO brought a drastic shift in television viewership, fueling WCW to an unpredictable 83-week smackdown in the battle for ratings supremacy while breathing new life into . Click the logo and sign up for access to the ESPN Images Library. The NBAs annual revenues are $7.92 billion, the WNBAs $60 million which would not even cover the combined salaries of NBA players Kevin Love and Damian Lillard. Please do not hesitate to contact me. This will also be the first time since 2015 the tournament has been played outside Indianapolis, making its inaugural appearance in Minneapolis at the Target Center, home of the four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx and the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account. All year, league executives were gratified that ESPN agreed to increase its investment in the league and air a record 37 games across its networks, about three times its typical WNBA slate. . Further proof of concept was evident in the recent WNBA and Nike launch of three new uniforms for each of the 12 teams in the league. The highest-rated game in the WNBA's 25th anniversary season: an Aug. 15 contest between the Sky and Storm. The NBA's average ticket price is variously reported at between $51 to $89; the WNBA's $17. James Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content, WNBA Free Agency Special Set for ESPN2 on Wednesday, Feb. 1.