From CNBC: 2024-09-27 17:52:22

During a WNBA preseason game, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark showcased her skills against Atlanta Dream guard Destanni Henderson on May 9, 2024. The 2024 WNBA season saw a surge in popularity led by young stars like Clark and Angel Reese, with over 54 million unique viewers tuning in across various networks. Almost 50% increase in game attendance was recorded from the previous year, with 154 sellout games compared to only 45 in 2023.
The league’s booming popularity led to the announcement of adding a 15th team in Portland for the 2026 season. However, increased attention also brought instances of online harassment and racism towards players, drawing criticism when WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert did not explicitly condemn such behavior. She later clarified her position opposing “hate or racism.” Clark’s impact was evident in the attendance numbers for the Fever, showing a significant jump compared to other teams. Overall, the WNBA witnessed massive growth in merchandise, social media engagement, and viewership, attracting a $2.2 billion media rights contract for 11 seasons with reevaluation options after 2028. Several regular-season games surpassed 1 million viewership, setting records across networks like ESPN and CBS Sports.
The postseason also saw record-breaking viewership, with a matchup between the Fever and Connecticut Sun becoming the most-watched WNBA playoff game. Despite being eliminated in the first round, Clark’s Fever left a mark on the season. As the league’s playoffs head into the semifinals, anticipation builds for the upcoming games, including a rematch between the Aces and the Liberty.



Read more at CNBC: Viewership, attendance soar during 2024 season