League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Match Previews

WNBA sees record regular-season audience amid Caitlin Clark's rise

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 5, 2026, 8:30 PM

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

WNBA sees record regular-season audience amid Caitlin Clark's rise

Summary

The WNBA's television ratings continue to surge thanks to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The league's games on ESPN networks averaged 1.2 million viewers, a 5% increase from last year. The season's top broadcasts featured the Fever, with a recent game against the Minnesota Lynx attracting 2.5 million viewers. This marks ESPN's second most-watched WNBA regular-season game. Ratings for the All-Star Game were also up 44% from last year, reflecting Clark's influence on viewership. Additionally, discussions on transgender athletes during broadcasts have sparked significant attention.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•WNBA telecasts up 12% from last year
•Fever-Lynx game averaged 2.5 million viewers
•All-Star Game ratings increased by 44%
•ESPN's WNBA games average 1.2 million viewers
•Cheryl Reeve's comments on transgender athletes create discussion

Latest Updates

8:30 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN posts second-largest WNBA regular-season audience on record

What they're saying

"
The WNBA’s television ratings continue to skyrocket behind the force that is Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Clark’s star power has helped the WNBA hold up its end of the bargain in its new 11-year, $2.2 billion media deal. Through the first half of the season, WNBA telecasts were up 12% compared to last year,…
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Indiana Fever Minnesota Lynx WNBA Basketball