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Despite injuries, WNBA viewership booms

After shattering records in 2024, WNBA viewership has continued to do numbers — even as some of the league’s biggest stars watch from the sidelines.

• According to a Front Office Sports report out this week, WNBA matchups are averaging 794,000 viewers per game across national networks so far this year, up 21% from 2024’s full-season total.

Rising tides: Following one of the highest-profile rookie seasons in league history, the Caitlin Clark-fueled Indiana Fever quickly became the cornerstone of the league’s broadcast boom, routinely accounting for the bulk of regular viewership.

• However, the WNBA’s most significant gains came elsewhere, with non-Fever games currently drawing an average of 549,000 viewers per game, marking a 37% year-over-year increase.

• Despite Clark sitting out 13 of the Fever’s 26 regular-season games with a lingering groin injury, Indiana’s coverage remains strong, averaging 1.26 million viewers per game for a 7% increase over 2024.

• Of the league's national broadcasters, CBS reported a 5.5% increase and ESPN saw a 3% rise while NBA TV’s relatively low 339,000 viewers-per-game offset its steep 58% growth.

What’s next: The WNBA is set to enter an 11-year, $2.2 billion joint media rights deal with NBC Sports in 2026 while ESPN stays on as partner, with both networks betting on the league regardless of a single superstar’s uncertain availability.

NWSL is back in action

The NWSL is back in session, resuming regular-season play tonight as players shift their focus from international tournaments back to the league’s home stretch.

• While WAFCON and Women’s Euro participants are expected to be available this weekend, NWSL stars featuring in tomorrow’s Copa América Final will remain out of market.

What to watch: The NWSL standings dominate the narrative, with No. 1 Kansas City towering over the rest of the pack while lower-table teams embrace their shot at a reset after a month off the pitch.

• No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 1 Kansas City, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): Racing currently sits in playoff position, but they’ll be tested as the high-flying Current storm through Louisville.

• No. 6 Seattle vs. No. 11 Los Angeles, Friday at 10:30 PM ET (Paramount+): Reign fans will get their first league glimpse of new signing Mia Fishel while Angel City hopes to ruin the party as they push toward playoff contention.

• No. 9 North Carolina vs. No. 3 San Diego, Saturday at 7:30 PM ET (ION): Courage forward Jaedyn Shaw takes on her former team as the Wave looks to keep the NWSL’s surprise success story of the season going strong.

• No. 4 Washington vs. No. 5 Portland, Sunday at 12:30 PM ET (ABC): While Spirit fans cross their fingers for the return of injured stars Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune, the Thorns try to keep their steady momentum afloat in DC.

Get up to speed: Check out “The NWSL Returns!” on The Late Sub

Phee battles A’ja in WNBA headliner

Two of the WNBA’s toughest square off this weekend, as Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Las Vegas’s A’ja Wilson battle it out in a Saturday showdown between bonafide MVP candidates.

• As the league’s top two scorers, Collier’s 23.8 points per game meets Wilson’s 22.1 for the third time this season, after the Lynx toppled the Aces a week ago today.

• “Our defense is so good… We just make it hard, and when every shot is hard, eventually it wears a team down, and that's our goal every night,” Collier said after Minnesota routed Las Vegas 109-78 last Friday.

What to watch: With just two games separating third from sixth place, the WNBA standings — and therefore the stakes — have never been tighter than they are this weekend.

• No. 3 Phoenix vs. No. 5 Atlanta, Friday at 7:30 PM ET (ION): The Dream can leapfrog two teams to claim third with a win on Friday, as Phoenix aims to galvanize behind their own MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas.

• No. 1 Minnesota vs. No. 7 Las Vegas, Saturday at 3 PM ET (ABC): The Aces will look to blank the Lynx at home, coming off a two-game winning streak to face this season’s undisputed top dogs.

• No. 6 Indiana vs. No. 4 Seattle, Sunday at 3 PM ET (ABC): The Fever have remained hot despite injured Caitlin Clark’s absence, earning a chance to push into the league’s upper echelon with a result against the Storm.

Canadian Open heats up

With the US Open rapidly approaching, the tennis world’s hardcourt titans are tuning up in Canada.

• This year’s Canadian Open is in full swing up in Montréal, allowing players to hone their skills before next week’s Cincinnati Open sets the tone for New York’s final Grand Slam of the season.

Who to watch: Many heavy-hitters are still in play through today’s Round of 32, with 2025 Slam winners Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek plus fan favorite Naomi Osaka all hitting the court this week.

• The only major player sitting this week out is world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, with the 2024 US Open champ prioritizing her mental and physical rest ahead of her title defense.

Tune in: The Canadian Open’s Round of 32 kicks off at 12:30 PM ET, with continuous live on The Tennis Channel.

Rodman drops Adidas PE cleat

Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman is set to debut her Adidas Player Edition cleat this weekend, marking her return to the field by rocking the all-new F50 SPARKFUSION PE — a boot built by and for women’s sports athletes.

• “Growing up as a kid in California, I could never have imagined a day where there would be a cleat literally inspired by me,” the 2024 Olympic gold medalist said in a press release. “It makes it even more special knowing it’s a cleat built by, and for, female soccer players. I can’t wait to wear them.”

• In addition to key design adjustments addressing issues specific to women’s soccer players, Rodman’s Player Edition boots feature a pearlescent white base alongside bold pink stripes — an homage to her signature pink hair — and vibrant light blue details.

Get yours: The F50 SPARKFUSION PE are available for purchase via adidas.com.

Brazil shoots for 9th Copa title

Brazil and Colombia take center stage on Saturday, as star-studded lineups full of NWSL talent duke it out at this year’s Copa América Femenina Final.

• Orlando Pride midfielder Marta will lead Brazil teammates Lorena (Kansas City), Angelina (Orlando), Ary Borges (Louisville), and Gabi Portilho (Gotham) into the nation’s 10th tournament final, taking aim at their fifth straight — and ninth overall — CONMEBOL title.

• Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos has her sights set on capturing Colombia’s first-ever Copa América Femenina trophy, joined by Angela Baron (Louisville), Ana Maria Guzman (Utah), and Daniela Arias (San Diego).

Tune in: The 2025 Copa América Final kicks off on Saturday at 5 PM ET, live on FS1.

Number of the day 

34%

The NWSL reported strong growth going into the season’s second half, with over 1.2 billion live match minutes viewed and average live streams up 34% year-over-year.