WNBA Expands Media Rights Deal
The WNBA’s media rights agreement has taken a significant leap. In less than two years, following a landmark $2.2 billion deal with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon, the league has now boosted that figure to over $3 billion.
Recent reports indicate that the league’s 11-year media contract portfolio is now valued at around $3.1 billion after including USA Sports (USA Network) and renewing partnerships with Paramount (CBS) and Scripps (Ion).
This translates to an annual average value of about $281 million, a dramatic rise from the previous contract’s average of roughly $43 million per year. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert remarked on the transformation, noting that the league had minimal national broadcasts when she started her term. “When I joined, we only had 15 games airing on domestic platforms, mainly on ESPN2 and ESPNU,” she explained. “This season, over 65% of our 330 regular-season games will be accessible on national platforms.”
However, this growth isn’t without its challenges. Fans find themselves needing to switch between various streaming services to watch their favorite teams. At present, WNBA games are distributed across multiple platforms including Disney/ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, CBS, Ion, Prime Video, USA Network, and NBA TV.
And yes, fans are definitely aware of this juggling act. Engelbert recently acknowledged these frustrations and, in a candid moment, admitted to the complexity of managing subscriptions. “I don’t run those media companies, so I can’t resolve the cost issue,” she stated. “This is not just a WNBA challenge. The U.S. media landscape is saturated with options.”
She also reflected on her own subscription habits, revealing, “I think I have around 18 subscriptions, yet I haven’t cut the cable cord.”
Despite these hurdles, the league sees the broader partnerships as beneficial. “I don’t fully agree with the cost argument,” Engelbert remarked. “We’re ahead of both the NHL and MLB in terms of visibility, which is crucial. It’s important for players to be seen and their stories to be shared.”
The current media package has a “reset” clause that kicks in after the 2028 season, allowing the WNBA to renegotiate if its popularity continues to grow. The league remains optimistic about its future trajectory.
