WNBA postseason viewership hits 25-year high on ESPN networks

The GIST: The NY Liberty and Minnesota Lynx battled it out on the hardwood in last night’s thrilling Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, but the cherry on top of the women’s hoops cake has been the league’s postseason viewership numbers. Let’s dive in.

Fans are tuning into the postseason in droves. Excluding last night’s game, the league averaged 970K viewers across 17 postseason matchups, a 142% increase YoY. This year has been the most-viewed postseason across ESPN networks since the league’s inaugural season in 1997. Love to see it.

It’s bigger than the Caitlin Clark effect. While the Indiana Fever superstar helped smash attendance and viewership records throughout the regular season, the W’s postseason popularity has extended beyond the Fever’s first-round series loss.

• The two 2024 semifinal series averaged 850K viewers across nine games, up 99% YoY to become the most-watched semis on ESPN networks in 25 years.

The league’s popularity doesn’t stop here. It’s been a historic season for the W on all fronts, from viewership and attendance highs to record-breaking on-court action and rising team valuations. With the Golden State Valkyries joining the fold next season, followed by Toronto and Portland in 2026, the popularity of the WNBA is at an all-time high — and the future is bright.