The fifth game of the WNBA Finals recorded the best viewership in 25 years

It was an enormous finish to the 2024 WNBA season.

The fifth game of this 12 months's WNBA Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty was the most-watched WNBA Finals game across all networks in 25 years. in response to ESPNciting Nielsen data. The game was broadcast on ESPN and peaked at 3.3 million viewers.

Viewership for Game 5 is especially impressive given the competition for attention on Sunday night. Both the National Football League's “Sunday Night Football” and Major League Baseball's National League Championship Series aired concurrently.

Viewership for your complete WNBA Finals series greater than doubled in comparison with last 12 months, a continuation of the growing popularity of the WNBA and ladies's sports typically.

This 12 months's finale was helped much more by a detailed battle between a perennial WNBA powerhouse within the Lynx and a previously championship-less contender within the Liberty. Four of the five games were decided by 5 points or less and two games, including the ultimate, went to additional time. The Liberty finally prevailed and won in front of their home crowd with 67:62.

The impressive viewership caps a WNBA season wherein viewership, engagement and attendance increased across the board.

The league can be fresh off a brand new media rights deal negotiated as a part of the National Basketball Association's agreement with broadcast partners. The leagues' recent contract is value $2.2 billion over 11 seasons, with an agreement to reevaluate terms after the 2028 season, CNBC previously reported.

And there's still room for improvement for the WNBA: Several recent teams will debut over the following few seasons, with the Golden State Valkyries set to start play within the 2025 season. Next 12 months may also feature 44 regular season games as an alternative of 40 and a finale with seven games as an alternative of 5.

The Women's National Basketball Players Association said Monday it will withdraw from the collective negotiate agreement it had previously reached with the league. According to the Associated Press, the present CBA will remain in effect for the 2025 season.