The 2024 WNBA season saw a thrilling conclusion with the New York Liberty emerging victorious in the Finals against the Minnesota Lynx. The fifth game of the series became the most-viewed WNBA finals game in 25 years, drawing in 3.3 million viewers on ESPN.
The growing popularity of women’s sports was evident throughout the series, with viewership across all WNBA Finals games more than doubling compared to the previous year. The competitive matchups between the Lynx and the Liberty, with four of the five games decided by 5 or fewer points and two games going into overtime, kept fans on the edge of their seats.
This surge in interest in the WNBA comes on the heels of a new media rights deal that the league secured as part of the NBA’s agreement with broadcast partners. The $2.2 billion deal over 11 seasons includes provisions for reevaluating the terms after the 2028 season, signaling a bright future for the league.
Exciting developments are on the horizon for the WNBA, with the introduction of new teams like the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 season. The upcoming season will also feature an expanded schedule with 44 regular season games and a seven-game finals series.
In a recent announcement, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association revealed that they would be opting out of the current collective bargaining agreement, although the existing terms will remain in place for the 2025 season.
Stay tuned to Extreme Investor Network for all the latest updates and insights on the business side of sports, including the rapidly evolving landscape of women’s sports and the WNBA.