The WNBA is back, having tipped off over the weekend. And while it has had to compete with the NBA Playoffs, NHL Playoffs, and the MLB, among other events, it’s gotten off to a great start on the ratings front.
According to ESPN, the four games shared between them and ABC garnered an average of 589,000 viewers, marking a 199 percent improvement from last year’s opening weekend. The Saturday afternoon game between the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm was also the most-watched tip-off weekend game in 11 years.
The game brought in 684,000 viewers, who watched the Aces fire off to a 105-64 win to kick off their title defense as guards Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young scored 23 points apiece while Candace Parker scored 12 points along with three blocks in her debut.
The contest scored a marginal viewership victory over Friday’s game between the Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks, which featured Brittney Griner’s return for her first game back since being released from a Russian prison.
Griner played in front of home fans two days later, logging 27 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks.
Saturday also saw a game pitting the Dallas Wings against the Atlanta Dream, with the former winning 85-78.
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The Worldwide Leader in Sports is scheduled to air another WNBA game next Tuesday, with the New York Liberty taking on the Seattle Storm.
