Twenty-five years ago, the National Basketball Association Board of Directors approved the Womens National Basketball Association. 2021 WNBA Season on ESPN/ABC Experiences Exponential Viewership Growth The three-game series averaged 848,000 viewers. Every WNBA Player. 2 Las Vegas Aces earned a double bye into the WNBA Semifinals (third round). So today, well take break down the leagues growth. Kelsey Plum on WNBA Viewership, That 'Tiny' All-Star MVP - Peoplemag 2), the Las Vegas Aces (No. I was beginning to question how the Las Vegas Aces could even afford the roster they currently have: 2022 All-WNBA First-Team and WNBA All-Star MVP Kelsey Plum, 2022 WNBA Champion and Finals MVP Chelsea Gray, 2020/2022 WNBA MVP and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year A'ja Wilson and, oh yeah, now Candace Parker, too. Under the CBA, base salaries increase to $130,000 and the leagues elite players can earn upward of $500,000. According to Statista, the average TV viewers of the WNBA regular season in 2016 was 224,000 and grew to 246,000 in 2019. "Average TV viewers of the WNBA regular season from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)." The NBA has 30 teams, the WNBA 12. NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 The WNBA finished the 2022 regular season delivering its most-watched regular season in 14 years. Game 3 (Oct.15, ESPN2) notched 524,000 viewers and peaked at 591,000, making it the most-viewed non-title-clinching Game 3 since the 2007 WNBA Finals. Later in the season, the league also delivered its most-watched regular-season game since 2012, with ABC averaging 755,000 viewers for a matchup between the Seattle Storm and Chicago Sky on Aug. 15. Demographics and Identity in the New WNBA-WNBPA CBA - OnLabor Overall, WNBA ratings were down, but the Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the Seattle Storm were up 15% from the 2019 five-game series between the Aces and the Washington Mystics the year prior. Well explore average WNBA attendance, and share attendance results by team. I would imagine a majority of people who watch the WNBA are people who watch the NBA, so its going to be a very difficult thing to build an audience when, even if you like (both leagues) equally, youre stepping on a Game 7 and thats going to take precedence, Lewis added. LPGA golfers face the same challenge. The league started the 25thseason by introducing its new official game ball by Wilson Sporting Goods through a new multiyear global partnership. The increase in WNBA viewership coincides with the most-ever league games on national television. What percentage of WNBA viewers are female? Get full access to all features within our Business Solutions. Please do not hesitate to contact me. James Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content, WNBA Free Agency Special Set for ESPN2 on Wednesday, Feb. 1. They never got a single NBA/WNBA double-header over the course of this going back to July. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Sparks reported just 18,319 attendees in 2021. The championship game (Oct. 17, ESPN) registered 417,000 viewers and peaked with 623,000 viewers, up 32 percent from 2019s Game 4 between the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics. I just really hope that this is the beginning and there's no backtracking. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Secaucus, N.J. 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A WNBA roster has a maximum of 12 players, whereas an NBA roster has a maximum of 15 players and a minimum of 12. The showdown between UConn and Baylor in the Elite Eight round was the most-watched NCAA Tournament game in 10 years, excluding Final Four matchups. No, the NBA won't get axed. NBA Viewership is More Troubling Than We Thought - OutKick At a time when sports continue to shed live viewers, the WNBAs numbers this year shows they still have not hit their ceiling. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images), television ratings were down 16 percent in the regular season, organize political and social movements among fans and viewers. ET. The strong showing in 2021 made it the most-viewed postseason since 2014. Here's the "Sunday Night Football" viewership so far this season: Week 1: Bears-Rams, 17.64 million Week 2: Chiefs-Ravens, 19.81 million Week 3: Packers-49ers, 19.69 million Week 4:. If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again. Viewership across its national television partners ABC, CBS, ESPN, and ESPN2 was up 16 percent over the 2021 season. Other highlights from the season include: The WNBA Playoffs 2021 presented by Google tipped off on Thursday, Sept. 23, with two first-round, single-elimination games on ESPN2. It was the most watched Finals series since 2017. From trial balloon to TV ratings hit, WNBA marks 25 years The first round then continues Thursday, Aug. 18, when the No. According to the WNBA, this is the most watched season since 2008. The WNBAs Covid-disrupted 2020 regular season averaged 205,000 viewers across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Zoomph data shows the WNBA has a fan base that is nearly two times more female than average, which could mean more purchasing power than more male-centered sports, a strong sign for advertising.. For the first time in league history, the WNBA used in-game wearables by KINEXON and optical tracking technology by Hawk-Eye to generate 3D immersive highlights, which were used in real time during Prime Videos broadcast of the inaugural WNBA Commissioners Cup Championship Game. That means they have an opportunity to keep growing, and are popular online where those fans who do not tune in live. Considering the circumstances, the WNBA will likely come away from its 2020 season content with the way it was able to connect with fans, especially from its Bubble in south Florida. Kelsey Plum, a star player in the WNBA (ever heard of her? The showdown recorded 789,000 viewers, peaking at a million for the primetime presentation. The 2019 NBA Finals averaged a little more than 20 million viewers per game; the 2019 WNBA Finals averaged about 400,000 viewers per game. These decreases are what sitcoms experience before cancellation. The league added it's also the most-viewed WNBA season since 2008. In essence Black males are the main supporters of the WNBA, yet Layshia Clarendon decided to focus her anger towards them. It was the first WNBA game post All-Star Game and Olympic break airing in the afternoon on ABC. "Level of Interest in Wnba in The United States as of May 2022, by Gender. While the NBA had higher viewership numbers last summer, 68% of our fans watched the NBA versus 82% of them watching a regular-season WNBA game. This will also be the first time since 2015 the tournament has been played outside Indianapolis, making its inaugural appearance in Minneapolis at the Target Center, home of the four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx and the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. Would you be willing to send a $5 tip to our Venmo tip jar because it helps support our reporting? Accessed March 05, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108312/women-national-basketball-association-interest-gender/, Morning Consult. The WNBAs Covid-disrupted 2020 regular season averaged 205,000 viewers across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, a drop of 16 per cent on the previous year. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The 2014 WNBA finals averaged 659,000 viewers across the ESPN channels, up 91% from the 2013 finals between the Minnesota Lynx and the Atlanta Dream which averaged 345,000. All stats are from the 2018-2019 NBA season and the 2019 WNBA season. NBA commissioner Adam Silver reports that the WNBA has lost an average of $10 million every year it has existed, which the NBA subsidizes out of the goodness of its politically correct heart. Adrienne Goodson: WNBA must capitalize on record growth in 2021 Because it's time., This is a BETA experience. The regular season takes place in summer from May to August and the play-offs in. 1 June 2021 Sam Carp News SHARE THIS ARTICLE. The St. Louis Blues are 27-29-5 this season after they defeated the San Jose Sharks by a score of 6-3 in their last game. This represented the league's. Overview and forecasts on trending topics, Industry and market insights and forecasts, Key figures and rankings about companies and products, Consumer and brand insights and preferences in various industries, Detailed information about political and social topics, All key figures about countries and regions, Market forecast and expert KPIs for 600+ segments in 150+ countries, Insights on consumer attitudes and behavior worldwide, Business information on 60m+ public and private companies, Detailed information for 35,000+ online stores and marketplaces. According to Across the Timeline, average WNBA attendance per team during the regular season in 2021 was 2,388 fans. The NBA watched the NFL capture an eleven-year deal worth more than $100 billion deal last summer. Click the logo and sign up for access to the ESPN Images Library. As a media company, I would align with the WNBAs fan culture on social, Scott said. As a Premium user you get access to background information and details about the release of this statistic. PDF "A Comparison of NBA and WNBA Player Salaries" New York Liberty (No. 2023 Players Check out our Player Season Finder to search through the entire history of WNBA player stats using custom criteria. Use Ask Statista Research Service, The source phrased the question as, "In general, would you describe yourself as an avid fan, a casual fan or not a fan of each of the following? The ratings ultimately came around to back this up as well, as the star-laden Finals showed a 15 percent uptick in viewership over 2019 even in a fairly dominant Seattle Storm sweep over Wilsons Las Vegas Aces. The 2023 World Baseball Classic, the first since 2017, will get underway on Tuesday, March 7. Early metrics still showed spikes in WNBA viewership, with Game 1 racking up an average of 555,000 viewers for the most-viewed Finals' opener in five years. NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2021 The WNBA capped off its historic 25th regular season by delivering its most-watched season since 2008 for its television partners ABC, CBS, ESPN and ESPN2 with viewership up 51% over the 2020 season, and by setting records for merchandise sales online and engagement across its social media platforms. WNBA players want what NBA players spent decades trying to obtain. The 2022 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google tips off on Wednesday, Aug. 17, when the No. This may not be a world title match like some viewers hoped, but Cody Rhodes seems destined to topple The Tribal Chief. Which leads us here: The average NBA salary is about $7.5 million; according to the league, the average WNBA salary in 2019 was reportedly about $116,000, but a new collective bargaining agreement which runs from 2020 to 2027 provides a 53% pay increase, plus maternity leave at full salary, $5,000 for child care, and as much as $60,000 for adoption, surrogacy, egg freezing and fertility treatments. A multi-year deal with Amazon Prime Video made the WNBA the first womens professional sports league to be streamed on Prime Video, with Amazon receiving exclusive streaming rights to 16 WNBA games each season. As part of the agreement, the league established a new platform, WNBA Changemakers, to attract corporate investment in the league. The premiere episode of Not Dead Yet had about 7.6 million viewers and a 1.76 rating among the 18-49 demographic in the seven days after its premiere on across linear and digital platforms. A paid subscription is required for full access. Statistics; Cookie statement . To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail. Here is the average WNBA attendance by team for the 2021 regular season: Total WNBA attendance by team in 2021 was led by the Phoenix Mercury with 93,585 fans. 6 seeded Dallas Wings and former Rookie of the Year Allisha Gray travel to Connecticut and 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones to take on the third seeded Sun on ESPNU and NBA TV at 8 p.m. Business Solutions including all features. The league started the 25th season by introducing its new official game ball by Wilson Sporting Goods through a new multiyear global partnership. Please do not hesitate to contact me. We want to hear from you. According to Deadline.com, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics double-overtime game averaged 1.96 million viewers, topping out at an audience size of 2.87 million late in the game. The 2021 NCAA Womens Final Four pulled some of its highest viewership numbers ever. Game 2 (Oct. 13, ESPN) became the most-viewed Game 2 since 2003 and the most-viewed Finals game since 2017s Game 5. Said Lewis: We all know the WNBAs numbers still dont compare, but when youre talking about a period of time when every sport is still having trouble in the ratings and you can say not only that your numbers were up but that they were up double digits, thats a pretty decent story for them.. Capitals vs Sharks Prediction - NHL Picks 3/4/23 - PickDawgz Not Dead Yet (TV series) - Wikipedia A bigger cut for the players means higher subsidies from their benefactor. Felicien, who formally covered the Atlanta Dream for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has been encouraged by the increase in WNBA engagement heading into this season. ESPN said the WNBA league attracted 417,000 total viewers for Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA has also made room for males who share their vision. . The WNBA Playoffs will feature a maximum of 19 games, all available across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and the ESPN App. And Buzzer began featuring live content and WNBA League Pass games on its mobile platform in the companys first foray into womens professional sports. Get full access to all features within our Business Solutions. Pay disparity between NBA, WNBA is a numbers game The 2019 NBA Finals had 27% fewer viewers this year, compared to last year (17.85M to 10.4M). The playoffs were the most-watched since 2014. However, the average viewership for the 2020 finals increased 15% to 440,000. Atlanta Dream Team Store; . Womens tennis is as popular or more popular than the mens game, and womens gymnastics is much more popular than the mens sport. The WNBA also welcomed Google as its newest WNBA Changemaker, joining AT&T, Deloitte and Nike. NFL vs NBA: Revenue, Salaries, Viewership, Ratings - World Sports Network You need at least a Starter Account to use this feature. What might be better is a carryover buzz from Womens College Basketball. It is the most-watched comedy debut on ABC in nearly four years. It fell by 35% in the key 18-48 demographic. Im not going to rest till I fix that. said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The NBA's sponsorship revenue is about 100x the WNBA's; the NBA's cable viewership is 88x the WNBA's; and the . The Chicago Sky emerged victorious,winning 87-85 in overtime at their home court. In addition, the league teamed up with Dapper Labs, the company behind NBA Top Shot and the Flow blockchain, to launch WNBA Moments on Top Shot, giving fans the ability to own dynamic in-game moments from WNBA players and legends. Stats - Atlanta Dream Season. IN HISTORIC 25TH SEASON, League Sets Records for Merchandise Sales Online and Social Media Engagement . According to Burack, who also cited Nielsen data, TNT's slate of NBA games declined by 19 percent compared to 2019 (from 1.5 million to 1.2 million viewers per game) while ESPN's offerings . Profit from the additional features of your individual account. 2023 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Tips Off Wednesday NFL 2020 ratings: Viewership down for all sports across the board Need Photos? What Is The Average Attendance At A Wnba Game During opening weekend in 2021, WNBA viewership soared 25% versus the prior year. The WNBA Playoffs will feature a maximum of 27 games, all available across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, the ESPN App and NBA TV. Well reveal WNBA viewership by year. All Rights Reserved. Register in seconds and access exclusive features. The Olympics didnt allow women to run an event longer than 800 meters until the 1972 Games, when the 1,500-meter run was added to the program; meanwhile, the men were also contesting longer distances 3,000-meter steeplechase, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and the marathon. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. The ideal entry-level account for individual users. The WNBA Racial and Gender Report Card - ESPN.com The four-game Sky-Mercury WNBA Finals averaged 548,000 viewers across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, marking the largest audience for the event since the five-game Lynx-Sparks series in 2017 (559K). ", SportsPro, Average TV viewers of the WNBA regular season from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1236723/wnba-regular-season-viewers/ (last visited March 05, 2023), Average TV viewers of the WNBA regular season from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s) [Graph], SportsPro, September 21, 2022. The NBA's average ticket price is variously reported at between $51 to $89; the WNBA's $17. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun). Chart. The 2023 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament presented by TIAA marks the 30th in conference history. The best of the best: the portal for top lists & rankings: Strategy and business building for the data-driven economy: Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). Connecticut's Diana Taurasi, left, is presented with a Phoenix Mercury jersey by WNBA President Val [+] Ackerman, right, after the Mercury chose her as the No.