The WNBA’s 28th season has started off with a bang, drawing significant attention in the first month. The league recently announced that approximately 400,000 fans attended games in May, marking the largest attendance in 26 years. This impressive turnout harkens back to 1999 when the league was just starting out and drawing in similar crowds.
In addition to the surge in attendance, WNBA games have been pulling in an impressive number of viewers across various networks. On channels like ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and CBS, games are averaging 1.32 million viewers, nearly tripling last season’s average. Several games, including those of the Fever on May 14, May 18, and May 20, set viewership records, attracting the highest number of viewers in the history of the respective networks.
The growth of the WNBA has been staggering, with merchandise sales up by 236% compared to the previous season. 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 17% from the previous year, the league is experiencing a surge in interest and engagement. The WNBA’s chief growth officer, Colie Edison, expressed optimism about the growth and increased engagement
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