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WNBA sees record viewership increase as league continues to grow

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 4:05 AM

Last updated Aug 21, 2026

WNBA sees record viewership increase as league continues to grow

Summary

The WNBA is experiencing unprecedented growth, highlighted by a record 2.6 million viewers for its recent game between the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever. This figure marks a 178% increase from last year’s average for regular-season games on ESPN. The league's overall viewership has surged since Caitlin Clark joined, with ESPN's ratings rising significantly in the past two years. The current national media rights agreements, valued at about $200 million per year, reflect the rising interest in women's basketball, showcasing the league's expanding viewership and financial backdrop.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•2.6 million viewers for Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever game
•ESPN's WNBA viewership rose 16% year-over-year
•Caitlin Clark's arrival significantly boosted ratings
•New media rights deal valued at $200 million per year
•League has record 216 nationally distributed games this season

Latest Updates

4:05 AMYahoo Sports — How the WNBA Proved Me and Everyone Else Wrong

What they're saying

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"Women's basketball doesn't have to constantly make the argument anymore that it deserves media coverage." The post How the WNBA Proved Me and Everyone Else Wrong appeared first on Barrett Media.
— Yahoo Sports

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