The popularity of the WNBA is rising in 2024.
Within the first week of the season, three games have already passed over a million TV viewers. From 2009-23, the WNBA had no games with over a million viewers, according to sports journalist Ben Stevens.
Three WNBA games this year have drawn 1+ million viewers:
1. Fever vs Sun – 2.12M (5/14, ESPN2)
2. Fever vs Liberty – 1.71M (5/18, ABC)
3. Sparks vs Aces – 1.34M (5/18, ABC)From 2009-23, the WNBA had zero (0) games with 1+ million viewers.
There’s now been 3 in one week.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) May 21, 2024
Two sets of WNBA rookie duos’ appearances at major league baseball games went viral: Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson at the Los Angeles Dodgers game, and Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso at the Chicago Cubs game. Rapper Latto pulled up to Reese’s professional debut in Dallas, while Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla brought out Reese and her teammates on stage at a live show in Chicago.
Shota Imanaga poses with Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso before tonight's @Cubs game!@SkyMarquee pic.twitter.com/ilvOGDarVu
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 21, 2024
Cameron Brink & Rickea Jackson arrived at Dodger Stadium to throw out first pitch #TheNewClassic #WNBA #LetsGoDodgers
🎥: @TheHardwood94 pic.twitter.com/SGvjsypVwE
— Nick Hamilton (@NickHamilton213) May 21, 2024
Average WNBA attendance is up 14 percent, sellouts are up 150 percent from 2023’s opening week — and there have been at least 10 league-wide sellouts, according to Khristina Williams.
This is the #WNBA pic.twitter.com/7s68WXFobB
— Russell Steinberg (@Russ_Steinberg) May 18, 2024
In Atlanta at the 2024 home opener for the Dream, the team celebrated another sellout crowd with celebrities in attendance. Rapper Quavo, NFL legend Chad Ochocinco, South Carolina star guard Raven Johnson, T.I.’s son and influencer King Harris, Atlanta Hawks guard Vít Krejčí and 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation MVP Leah Edmond from the Atlanta Vibe were all there. Trillville was also the halftime entertainment for the night, performing “Some Cut” and “Neva Eva.”
The newest member of the WNBA fan club… Chad Ochocinco Johnson.@ochocinco 🤝 @AtlantaDream pic.twitter.com/rGGFbz5McY
— The Athletic WBB (@TheAthleticWBB) May 22, 2024
“We always think that we have one of the best crowds in the league,” Dream guard Rhyne Howard told WNBA Social after the game. “When you have a sellout crowd — and they’re in the game — it just gives us more energy to want to push through and fight just because we know how much they’re buying into the game. So, we want to give that love right back to them.”
