When fans werent tuned in, they engaged with social content in record numbers. Revenues, of course, are not to be confused with profits. A hockey podcast that doesn't talk about last night's scores. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. And the 2019 finals featuring the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics averaged 386,000 viewers and lasted five games. Which was a drop of 16% on the previous year. The NBA is 75 years old, the WNBA 25. On TNT, in the measurement from 2011-12, NBA viewership is down 40%. The league headed into the 26th season by announcing its $75 million capital raise to fuel investment in the long-term transformation of the league. The value of working through athletes as influencers in the WNBA is evident in the data as well. Meanwhile, across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok,the WNBA set records for social media engagement with 135 million video views and 14.5 million actions. Plus, we discuss some fun attendance facts that might surprise you, and what led to 69 million social media impressions for the league this year. Statistics; Cookie statement . You can only download this statistic as a Premium user. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. 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? Over the whole season, they didnt get a single situation where they were leading into the NBA or the NBA was leading into them. WNBA games averaged 321,000 viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and CBS during the regular season, up 51% from last year and the league's most-watched season in 13 years. 2023 CNBC LLC. The BarDown Podcast. WNBA; Wrestling; XFL; More Sports . In particular, the deciding Game 3 of the Finals fit perfectly the formula that Lewis has observed tends to serve up the best ratings for the league. This year, ESPNs 2021 WNBA schedule featured 24 regular season games, as well as the WNBA Playoffs and Finals, the WNBA All-Star Game, and the annual WNBA Draft. The 2022 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) regular season games were watched by an average of 379 thousand viewers across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. On the surface, it appears that the women have little argument there is no comparison between NBA and WNBA revenues but first lets understand what WNBA players want. Get full access to all features within our Business Solutions. WNBA DELIVERS MOST-WATCHED REGULAR SEASON SINCE 2008 Draft coverage peaked at about 463,000 viewers. Baseball viewership statistics were down 20% from the 2014-15 season. 4), and the Chicago Sky (No. WNBA's ESPN viewership up 74% after five games of 2021 season Women's basketball league averaging 357,000 viewers across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Spurred by sales of the new Nike H.E.R. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury mostly held steady. Access to this and all other statistics on 80,000 topics from, Show sources information The NBA has 30 teams, the WNBA 12. As a Premium user you get access to background information and details about the release of this statistic. And the entire Finals series averaged 548,000 viewers, making it also the most watched since 2017. In terms of how team attendance was trending prior to the pandemic, the Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, and Los Angeles Sparks had regular season attendance averages that were trending up over the previous three years (2017, 2018, 2019). 1 seeded Las Vegas Aces and WNBA All-Stars Aja Wilson and Kelsey Plum on ESPN at 10 p.m. 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. Dont just show up for the big moments because WNBA fans and their athletes know this. 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. Womens tennis is as popular or more popular than the mens game, and womens gymnastics is much more popular than the mens sport. 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. Women's basketball has notched yet another viewership milestone this time at the pro level. However, the average viewership for the finals increased 15 per cent to 440,000. The share the percentage of households with. That is a 49% increase compared to 2020 and 24% increase to 2019. Dont let WNBA stories go untold. Interest in womens basketball is on the rise. All Rights Reserved, Pay disparity between NBA, WNBA is a numbers game, Draymond Green, one of those highly paid male players, poured a little gas on the fire, the WNBA has lost an average of $10 million every year it has existed. 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. Game 2 was the most watched Game 2 since 2003, peaking with 1 million viewers. August 17, 2022, League Sets Social, Digital and Merchandising Records , In Their Final Seasons, Sylvia Fowles First Player to Record 4,000 Rebounds in a Career; Sue Bird Records 1,000 Three-Pointers Made , The 2022 WNBA Playoffs Presented by Google Tips Off Wednesday, Aug. 17. 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. The WNBAs Covid-disrupted 2020 regular season averaged 205,000 viewers across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The Chicago Sky emerged victorious,winning 87-85 in overtime at their home court. I cover the Phoenix Suns as well as the broader NBA and WNBA, PALMETTO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Breanna Stewart, #30 of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket against A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Feld Entertainment Center on October 02, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. And Game 2 of that series averaged 1.2 million viewers on ABC. Just two weeks later and five games in, WNBA ratings climbed even higher to 74% year over year growth. Season. The WNBA also welcomed Google as its newest WNBA Changemaker, joining AT&T, Deloitte and Nike. According to ESPN, the 2021 WNBA Finals were the most-viewed since 2017, with an average of 548,000 viewers across ESPN networks and ABC. Show publisher information At the same time, the leagues digital footprint tells a slightly different story. Of the eight original teams, only the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, and the New York Liberty have lasted. The 2021 WNBA Finals on ESPN networks and ABC - Chicago Sky victory over the Phoenix Mercury - averaged 548,000 viewers across four games, a 23 percent increase from 2020 (447,000 average viewers in three games) and a 42 percent surge from 2019 (386,000 average viewers in five games). ET, before the No. Womens basketball has steadily increased viewership year-over-year. Half of that 66% are Black males despite the fact that black men make up around 7% of the US population as a whole. 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. viewership dropped roughly 50 percent . The regular season takes place in summer from May to August and the play-offs in. The drop of new jerseys alone yielded over 69 million impressions on drop day. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. According to WNBA statistics, 75 percent of the fans in attendance at a WNBA game are female. Further proof of concept was evident in the recent WNBA and Nike launch of three new uniforms for each of the 12 teams in the league. Los Angeles is the driving force behind MLB ratings this October, so the Dodgers advancing would. All stats are from the 2018-2019 NBA season and the 2019 WNBA season. WNBA Draft 2022 presented by State Farm averaged 403,000 viewers on ESPN, up 20 percent over last year, making it the most watched WNBA Draft since 2004. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. A bigger cut for the players means higher subsidies from their benefactor. And the 2021 WNBA Finals Game 2 was the most watched Game 2 since 2003, peaking with 1 million viewers. Earlier this month, the Women's College World Series three-game championship series between Oklahoma and Florida State averaged 1.84 million viewers on ESPN up 15% from 2019. Overall, the 2014 playoffs averaged a 0.3 rating and 489,000 viewers on the ESPN networks, up from 0.2 and 272,000 in 2013. Numbers were significantly impacted by the pandemic this year, as many teams only allowed severely limited attendance until after the Olympic break. NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2022 The WNBA finished the 2022 regular season delivering its most-watched regular season in 14 years. However, the shrinking interest is more than a concern. Are you interested in testing our business solutions? So while television ratings were down 16 percent in the regular season, the league was pleased to simply be on more screens and in more minds during a blitz of sports in the late summer. Official Release As soon as this statistic is updated, you will immediately be notified via e-mail. 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. The league added it's also the most-viewed WNBA season since 2008. According to ESPN, the audience figure represents a rise of 74 per cent on the average for the entire 2020 season and an increase of 45 per cent compared to the average viewership during the 2019 campaign. Measuring the post-season revenue is a bit difficult, but estimating is assisted by presented viewership numbers. The Seattle Storm vs. Chicago Sky game on Aug. 15, broadcast . (May 26, 2022). The rest, as they say, is history. Enjoying SportsPro content? The 2021 WNBA regular season averaged 306,000 viewers, a 49 percent increase over the 2020 regular season and up 24 percent over 2019. 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). This season represented the first time the Sky were represented in the top team merchandise rankings since 2016 thats the Candace Parker effect! SportsPro. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set AT&T WNBA 2022 All-Star Game became the most viewed All-Star Game in 6 years, averaging 734,000 viewers, up 53 percent over last years event. Every WNBA Player. Most Super Bowl wins by NFL team 1967-2023, Average ticket price in the NFL by team 2021, FIFA World Ranking: top male soccer teams 2022, Athletic footwear global market share by company 2015, Health & Fitness Clubs - Statistics & Facts, Sporting goods industry in the U.S. - statistics & facts, Research expert covering sports and video gaming, Profit from additional features with an Employee Account. 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. Former Baylor guard and current New York Liberty draft pick DiDi Richards has a projected sponsorship value of $254 thousand based on her social media impressions calculated by Zoomph. 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. [12] ", Regular season attendance WNBA games 2022. statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account. Yet their media rights fees are five-to-15 times the WNBAs. The league also set new marks for engagements across social media, digital and merchandise, as well as experienced subscription growth for WNBA League Pass. The leagues fixtures were averaging 357,000 viewers across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 after the first five games of the current campaign, which is the WNBAs 25th season. And the 2021 WNBA Finals winners, the Chicago Sky, sold more merchandise on Fanatics since their WNBA title win over just two days than any other prior WNBA champ has sold in the first 30 days following a title victory. Black History Month: Emerging Leaders | Renee Montgomery: An Owner with a Players Perspective, WNBA Draft 2023 Presented By State Farm To Be Held On April 10th. Last year, Sabrina Ionescu went first to New York. Washington out shot Anaheim by a total of 39-23 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. For the 2021 season, the WNBA's combined viewership averaged 306,000 viewers across Disney networks (ABC, ESPN) and CBS Television Network. ), explains: Im tired of people thinking that (we) players are asking for the same type of money as NBA players we are asking for the same percentage of revenue shared within our CBA. Teams averaged more made three-point field goals (7.7) than in any prior season propelling teams to average 82.3 points per game, the third-highest figure in league history. 3), the Phoenix Mercury (No. His season stats have been removed from the XFL website but are still available via the Guardians' Week 1 box score. ET. (September 21, 2022). In comparison, last October's three-game WNBA Finals series featuring the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces averaged 440,000 viewers. Furthermore, the 2021 NCAA Womens Final Four pulled some of itshighest viewership numbersever. 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. An average of 379,000 viewers watched WNBA games on ABC, ESPN and CBS, the league said Wednesday, a 16% increase from 2021. For specifically the WNBA Finals in 2021, the first game of the series (Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury) peaked with 547,000 viewers, making it the most-viewed opening game of the Finals since 2017. WNBA Stats and History Statistics, scores, and history for the Women's National Basketball Association. The late 90s and early 2000s had some of the highest regular season game best attendance averages to date. It has taken decades to overcome such backward thinking, and the womens games have been playing catch-up ever since. In addition to ESPN, this years WNBA games are being broadcast on Amazon Prime Video for the first time. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Sparks reported just 18,319 attendees in 2021. (But) there will be more opportunities for that coming up next season.. to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time. The NBAs average attendance is 17,760, the WNBAs 6,535. The league reported 387,000 average viewers last year, up 123 percent from 2019. WNBA 2021 commercial guide: Every franchise, every sponsor, all the major TV deals. Level of interest in WNBA in the United States as of May 2022, by gender [Graph]. Directly accessible data for 170 industries from 50 countries and over 1 million facts: Get quick analyses with our professional research service. Today's top WNBA players can earn upwards of $500,000, courtesy of last year's landmark collective bargaining agreement, which guaranteed new maternity benefits and better travel conditions. For the 2021 season, the WNBA's combined viewership averaged 306,000 viewers. Be an ally, be inclusive and be consistent when reporting or putting quality content out there about the WNBA. In addition, the league teamed up with Dapper Labs, the company behind NBA Top Shot and the Flow blockchain, to launch the first WNBA NFTs. In addition, DICKS Sporting Goods became the largest national retailer for WNBA merchandise, and Buzzer began featuring live content and WNBA League Pass games on its mobile platform in the companys first foray into womens professional sports. Visit ESPN to view the Las Vegas Aces team stats for the 2022 season. Well, either way, its a tough sell for a league that cant turn a profit and survives on handouts from the NBA. ", 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. 3 Minnesota Lynx and the No. The 2021 Finals are the most viewed since the 2017 Finals between the LA Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx, which registered 563,000 viewers. Game 1 (Oct. 10, ABC) was the most-viewed opening game of the WNBA Finals since 2017, registering 456,000 viewers and peaking with 547,000. 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. By this date in 2019, 15 college football games averaged at least a 3.0 ratings. So today, well take break down the leagues growth. The womens league now has a commissioner, Cathy Engelbert. Serena Williams and Brittney Griner were each honored at the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, when Williams won the Jackie Robinson Sports Award and . The Nielson-measured average total viewers for national telecasts of NBA games was up 8% from the 2016-17 season at 1.28 million. Black History Month: Emerging Leaders | Renee Montgomery: An Owner with a Players Perspective, WNBA Draft 2023 Presented By State Farm To Be Held On April 10th. Sky guard Kahleah Copper won the 2021 Finals MVP after averaging 17 points and 5.5 rebounds in the series. The result was the second-best viewership of the entire season, with 579,000 fans tuning in. 5) followed Sabrina on the list of top five most popular jerseys. Back in 2020, the WNBA and the Womens National Basketball Players Association signed a landmark collective bargaining agreement. Viewership increased 23% from last year's three-game sweep (Storm-Aces: 444K) and up 43% from the five-game Mystics-Sun series in 2019 (381K). During 2021 opening weekend, Sky-Mystics WNBA regular season game averaged a 0.39 rating and 611,000 viewers on ABC, and a rematch of that Storm-Aces final later that day averaged a 0.39 and 598,000 on ABC both securing a place in the top three records of the leagues largest regular season audience in nine years, at that time. The latest figures continue a positive start to the season for the WNBA, which saw record ratings in Canada during its opening weekend, including a 325 per cent increase in average viewership. Please do not hesitate to contact me. What might be better is a carryover buzz from Womens College Basketball. Currently, you are using a shared account. Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionesculed the league in jersey sales. There have been ups and downs along the way, including a worldwide pandemic the league is still navigating this season. The WNBA capped off its historic 25thregular season by delivering its most-watched season since 2008 for its television partners ABC, CBS, ESPN and ESPN2 viewershipwas up 51% over the 2020 season. A multi-year deal with Amazon Prime Video made the WNBA the first womens professional sports league to be streamed on Prime Video. Profit from the additional features of your individual account. The 2021 WNBA regular season averaged 306,000 viewers, up 49 percent compared to 2020 and 24 percent to 2019, ESPN announced Thursday. The league started the 25thseason by introducing its new official game ball by Wilson Sporting Goods through a new multiyear global partnership. 1 Connecticut Sun and the No. The highest-rated game in the WNBA's 25th anniversary season: an Aug. 15 contest between the Sky and Storm. Wedneday, March 1st In today's episode we talk about: Discord coming soon! In 2021, there have been 24 telecasts, compared to 37 broadcasts in 2020 and 16 in 2019. New York Libertys Sabrina Ionescu became the first WNBA player to eclipse 500 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists in a single season. Englebert reported the average viewership of games rose 68% this season, crediting that largely to a substantial increase in games on the ESPN Network as well as the league's debut on the CBS. We want to hear from you. 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. The WNBAs problem is simple: It doesnt generate the interest or the revenue to support a pay structure anywhere close to what the mens game can offer. How do you get that bias out of that valuation model? It hasnt helped that womens sports came late to the game. ", Morning Consult, Level of interest in WNBA in the United States as of May 2022, by gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108312/women-national-basketball-association-interest-gender/ (last visited March 05, 2023), Level of interest in WNBA in the United States as of May 2022, by gender [Graph], Morning Consult, May 26, 2022. A paid subscription is required for full access. 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). Strauss adds the league's local viewership, too, has sharply declined. The four-round WNBA postseason features the eight teams with the best regular-season records. There was just more interest because everything has been more available, starting with the college games. Super Bowl averages 113 million viewers, 3rd-most watched in history The Kansas City Chiefs' 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl LVII is on pace to become the third most-watched [] Under the CBA, base salaries increase to $130,000 and the leagues elite players can earn upward of $500,000. The NBA watched the NFL capture an eleven-year deal worth more than $100 billion deal last summer. No, the NBA won't get axed. 4), andBreanna Stewart(No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft Saturday, April 17, 2004, in Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun), The Early Returns Of Kevin Durant In The Phoenix Suns Offense, Bayern Munich Remain First But Must Switch Off Complacency Ahead Of PSG Fixture, New England Patriots Reportedly Set To Release Brian Hoyer, Leaving Two In The Quarterback Room, Liverpool Legend Roberto Firmino Reportedly Offers Himself To FC Barcelona, Brock Lesnar Reportedly Finishing Up Current WWE Run, Xavi Speaks On FC Barcelonas Defensive Masterclass Against Real Madrid Ahead Of Valencia Clash, Manchester City Ready To Sell Bernardo Silva To FC Barcelona And Name Asking Price - Reports, FC Barcelona And Real Madrid Presidents Met To Discuss European Super League Strategy Before El Clasico - Reports, most-watched NCAA Tournament game in 10 years. The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.02 goals per game, 2.97 goals against per game, 20.9% on the power play, and 82.4% on the penalty kill. 5) followed. ESPN is making it easy to watch the Draft, Bria Felicien, the creator of The Black Sportswoman, said. More people. 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. The first round will be the best-of-three, while the semifinals and Finals will be best-of-five series. VIEWERSHIP: Combined viewership for the WNBA across ESPN Networks (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2) and the CBS Television Network was up 16 percent over the 2021 regular season, averaging 379,000. Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites. The third and fourth seeds the No. WNBA Moments on Top Shot gave fans the ability to own dynamic in-game moments from WNBA players and legends.