WNBA viewership is up 46% compared to last season

The GIST: The 2023 WNBA All-Star weekend is waking up in Vegas tomorrow and the league is looking to win big. Here’s a sports biz look at this year’s midseason showcase by the numbers.

Midseason viewership: Throughout the first half of the 2023 season, viewership is up 46% vs. 2022, with 548K average viewers across 13 games on ESPN platforms and 647K during the eight ABC games. Despite appearing on ESPN networks for the 19th time, this will be the first primetime All-Star Game on ABC. Aces.

New brands: This year’s All-Star weekend rostered a handful of first-time partnerships for the WNBA. Jordan Brand is providing jerseys for the game, fit with its famous Jumpman logo. In addition, Jordan is releasing four, limited-edition footwear models in the iconic WNBA orange, and kicked off the initial drop yesterday.

• The league also announced black-founded and woman-led beauty brand Mielle as its first-ever official textured hair care partner. The company will serve as an associate partner of interactive fan festival WNBA Live, providing samples of its newest collection and organizing player meet and greets.

The pay: Compensation for playing in this year’s All-Star Game is reportedly a $2.5K bonus and a first class flight, notably low compared to the NBA’s $100K bonus for players on the winning team. However, like the new WNBA playoffs format, players are eligible for additional bonuses this weekend.

• The game’s MVP, along the three-point and skills competitions winners, will take home a $5K check instead. Additionally, All-Star status can be used as leverage in future negotiations for salary or sponsorship deals. Cashing out.