The WNBA has just begun its 28th season and it’s already making waves. In May, over 400,000 fans attended games, which is the largest attendance in 26 years. This impressive turnout brings back memories of the league’s early days when it was drawing similar crowds.
The surge in attendance has been matched by an increase in viewership. On networks like ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and CBS, games are averaging 1.32 million viewers, almost triple last season’s average. Several games, including those of the Fever on May 14, May 18, and May 20, set viewership records and attracted the highest number of viewers in history on their respective networks.
The growth of the WNBA has also been felt in merchandise sales. Compared to the previous season, sales have increased by 236%. Players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink are among the top jersey sellers. Additionally, WNBA League Pass subscriptions have more than tripled in the first two weeks of the season with record-breaking minutes watched.
With arenas filled to an average of 94% capacity up from 77% last year, there is a clear surge in interest and engagement with the league. Colie Edison, chief growth officer for the WNBA expressed optimism about this growth and emphasized that women’s sports are a worthwhile investment for all stakeholders involved.
Overall this is an exciting time for the WNBA as they continue to build on their success and engage with their fans both offline and online.