The New York Liberty celebrate winning the 2024 WNBA Championship against the Minnesota Lynx during Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 20, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York.
David Sherman | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
It was a great conclusion to the 2024 WNBA season.
Game 5 of this year’s WNBA Finals, between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty, was the most-watched WNBA Finals game in the past 25 years across all networks, ESPN reported, citing Nielsen data. Ta. The game was broadcast on ESPN and had a record audience of 3.3 million viewers.
Game 5’s ratings are especially impressive considering Sunday night’s high-profile competition. The National Football League’s “Sunday Night Football” and Major League Baseball’s National League Championship Series were both broadcast simultaneously.
Overall viewership for the WNBA Finals series more than doubled compared to last year, continuing the growing popularity of the WNBA and women’s sports more broadly.
This year’s finals were further aided by a close contest between the WNBA’s perennial powerhouse, the Lynx, and the Liberty, a previously non-championship contender. Four of the five games were decided by five points or less, and two games, including the final, went into overtime. In the end, the Liberty team won 67-62 in front of their home crowd.
These impressive ratings capped off a WNBA season that saw an overall increase in viewership, engagement, and attendance.
The league also just signed a new media rights agreement, which will be negotiated as part of the National Basketball Association’s agreement with its broadcast partners. CNBC previously reported that the league’s new contract is worth $2.2 billion over 11 seasons, with the league agreeing to reevaluate terms after the 2028 season.
And there is room for a run for the WNBA. Several new teams will debut over the next few seasons, with the Golden State Valkyries beginning play in the 2025 season. Next year, there will be 44 regular season games instead of 40, and the finals will be seven games instead of five.
The National Women’s Basketball Players Association announced Monday that it is withdrawing from the collective bargaining agreement it previously reached with the league. According to the Associated Press, the current CBA will continue into the 2025 season.
