Fever-Liberty make another historic night for WNBA on ABC

The WNBA continued its upward ratings trend this past Saturday, as the Indiana Fever-New York Liberty game became the third most-watched WNBA telecast ever on ABC. According to Nielsen, the game averaged 2.2 million viewers, peaking at an impressive 2.8 million viewers. The nationally televised contest not only showcased star Caitlin Clark, but also served as a testament to the league’s rapidly rising popularity.

Saturday's viewership numbers represent a significant 76 percent increase over last season’s WNBA on ABC regular season average. Across the ESPN family of networks, WNBA ratings are up 14 percent compared to the 2023 season. These year-over-year gains highlight the growing interest in the league and is yet another example of the increasing value of its media rights.

ABC’s success in drawing big audiences for marquee matchups shows the importance of strategic scheduling and high-profile rivalries. With continued investment in broadcast production and growing popularity surrounding young stars, the WNBA is proving that it can deliver strong ratings on network television.

For advertisers and broadcasters, Saturday’s ratings provide even more proof that the WNBA is not just a great product on the court, but also lucrative. As the league looks to future expansion and even more media exposure, growth in viewership will be an important step in the league’s quest to gain fanfare and attention nationwide.