If you follow sports to any extent, you have likely realized that the WNBA is on the rise.
In the professional basketball world, the NBA no longer dominates headlines and conversations alike. A one-of-a-kind WNBA rookie class has changed the trajectory of women’s basketball forever.
Some of these more recent games have made history in terms of viewership and social media buzz, but many of them still haven’t been able to surpass the peak of the WNBA in the late ‘90s.
Let’s take a look at the most-watched WNBA games in history.
Inaugural WNBA Game: New York Liberty vs. Los Angeles Sparks (1997): 5.04 million viewers
While the first-ever NBA game was played in 1946, the first WNBA game came about 51 years later, in 1997. It was naturally a massive spectacle and a victorious feat for women who previously only dreamed of playing professionally. The game garnered a crowd of 14,284 and a viewership total of 5.04 million viewers.
With television deals with ESPN, Lifetime, and NBC, the nation had ample opportunity to see what this new women’s league could do. The first shot was made by the LA Sparks’ Penny Toler, a standout collegiate point guard who went overseas to begin a professional career.
On a related note, the game also caught the attention of many gamblers who previously only considered men’s sports and table games at casinos activities worth wagering on.
Charlotte Sting vs. Phoenix Mercury (1997): 3.59 million viewers
The day after, two new contenders went head-to-head, with everyone’s eyes still glued to the screen.
Of course, this became the second most-watched WNBA game, right after the first, making these two back-to-back games the top two in league history. While this game brought in 3.59 million in viewership, it attracted an even higher number of in-person fans at 16,102.
WNBA All-Star Game (2024): 3.44 million viewers
Thus far, the early ‘90s games have stolen the spotlight.
But in third place, we have the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, surpassing previous viewership records. Star rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark teamed up to produce a Team WNBA win, which drew in 3.44 million viewers on ABC. The game attracted such high ratings partially because of the unconventional matchup between Team WNBA and the US National Team.
This record-breaking game clearly demonstrated that the WNBA is growing, setting a new standard for viewership and competition. Despite the previous record on ABC held by a game featuring legends like Sue Bird, Sheryl Swoopes, and Lisa Leslie, this 2024 All-Star Game became the most-watched WNBA event on any ESPN network to date.
New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx (2024): 3.25 million viewers
With a 67-62 overtime win, the New York Liberty managed to clinch the title over the Minnesota Lynx. This nail-biting Game 5 spectacle surpassed the previous most-watched WNBA Finals game in 1999, a battle between the Houston Comets and New York Liberty.
The Liberty have had an unfortunate reputation for falling short, which makes this fervent win a serious victory for the team. The team has made the Finals five times prior, losing each one.
Breanna Stewart hit two free throws with just over 10 seconds left in overtime to seal the deal. Such a big-time win effectively erased the curse of New York’s Finals losing streak, and the state celebrated like never before.
New York Liberty vs. Houston Comets (1999): 3.25 million viewers
Back when the WNBA Finals consisted of just three games, the league held another viewership record in the postseason at 3.25 million, tying the Liberty vs. Lynx Game 5 matchup.
While there were plenty of exciting moments in the game, Teresa Weatherspoon’s buzzer-beater heave from beyond half-court solidified it as a historical moment in league history. As an after-effect, it also cemented her legacy and gave the Liberty a chance to prove themselves as a true contender.
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Phoenix Mercury (1998): 2.89 million viewers
June 14th, 1998 marked a legendary day in basketball history for both the NBA and WNBA.
The Bulls clinched their sixth championship and brought in the largest NBA audience ever. Meanwhile, the WNBA brought in the third-largest audience in its one-year history. The Cheryl Miller-led Mercury coasted to a 15-point win over the Sparks and led them to the WNBA Finals.
With numerous star players still early in their careers, the WNBA’s potential for more record-breaking games is glowing.
The WNBA welcomes its next rookie class on April 14th and potentially its next legend in the making in Paige Bueckers.
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