WNBA Secures 11-Year Media Rights Agreement to Stream Games on Versant Starting 2026
WNBA Makes Historic Media Rights Deal with USA Network for 2026 Season
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has secured a new broadcast home, with a multi-year media rights agreement with USA Network set to kick off in the 2026 season. This deal, announced on Tuesday, marks a significant step in the league’s growth and visibility, with USA Network becoming the primary channel for WNBA broadcasts including regular season games, playoffs, and select WNBA Finals over the course of the agreement, which runs until 2036.
Overview of the WNBA and USA Network Agreement
The partnership between the WNBA and Versant, a media company that will operate NBCUniversal’s cable networks, aims to enhance women’s sports on television. Under this new agreement, USA Network will air over 50 WNBA games each year, alongside a yet-to-be-determined number of playoff games in specific years. The deal is designed to leverage USA Network’s broad reach and the growing demand for women’s basketball.
Key Features of the Broadcast Deal
- Duration: An 11-year partnership beginning with the 2026 WNBA season and extending to 2036.
- Game Coverage: More than 50 regular-season games annually, including selected playoff games.
- Broadcast Structure: Wednesday night doubleheaders will form the backbone of USA Network’s coverage, complete with dedicated pregame and postgame programming.
- Production Resources: Versant will allocate a specialized on-air and production staff to support WNBA broadcasts.
Significance of the Partnership for Women’s Sports
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Partnering with Versant and USA Network marks another significant milestone for the WNBA’s continued growth. As demand for women’s basketball continues to rise, partnerships like this expand the visibility and accessibility of our game.”
Growing Audience and Investment in Women’s Sports
The investment in women’s sports is generating positive returns, with recent WNBA playoff games on ESPN and ABC averaging around 1 million viewers each, reflecting a 2% increase from 2024 and an impressive 164% rise from 2023. The semifinals have performed even better, with an average viewership of 1.3 million, marking a 59% growth compared to the previous year.
Additional Media Rights Developments
This new agreement complements the WNBA’s already established media landscape, which includes an 11-year rights package signed in July 2024 with major networks such as Disney, NBC, and Amazon. Furthermore, the WNBA has also reached a multi-year deal with Scripps to continue airing regular season games on Friday nights.
Versant’s Commitment to Women’s Sports
Versant’s strategic push into women’s sports signifies a commitment to transforming the viewing landscape amidst declining traditional broadcast viewership. As industry sources indicate, Versant is investing more in this partnership compared to NBCUniversal, suggesting a proactive approach to capitalize on the growing interest in women’s athletics. Matt Hong, President of Sports at Versant, underlined this initiative, revealing plans for a multifaceted women’s sports strategy.
The addition of USA Network as a broadcast partner is poised to elevate the WNBA’s profile, cultivate a larger fanbase, and contribute to the evolving narrative of women’s sports on television.
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