The Women’s National Basketball Association has secured a historic new media rights agreement worth $3.1 billion over 11 years, marking a massive leap forward for women’s sports broadcasting and the league’s long-term financial future.
The new deal includes partnerships with major media companies such as Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock), Amazon (Prime Video), Paramount (CBS), Scripps (Ion), USA Network, and NBA TV.
The agreement dramatically increases the WNBA’s annual media revenue to an average of $281 million per year — approximately 6.5 times larger than the league’s previous media deal, which averaged $43 million annually.
WNBA Media Deal Reaches Historic Heights
The league initially secured a reported $2.2 billion agreement in July 2024 with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon as part of the NBA’s broader $77 billion media package. Since then, the WNBA expanded the deal by adding USA Sports and renewing partnerships with Scripps and Paramount, pushing the total value to $3.1 billion.
The new contracts also include “reset” provisions after the 2028 season. These clauses could allow the league and its media partners to renegotiate the value, duration, or structure of the agreements depending on market conditions and the league’s continued growth.
Additionally, the deals include revenue-sharing opportunities tied to advertising and sponsorship performance, meaning the total value of the package could increase even further over time.
Record National TV Coverage for the 2026 WNBA Season
Under the new agreements, the WNBA secured a record 216 nationally televised games for the 2026 season, giving fans more access than ever before across broadcast television, cable, and streaming platforms.
Ion will carry the most games with 50 broadcasts, followed by USA Network with 48 contests.
The league’s playoff coverage will also be split among several major broadcasters:
- First Round: ABC/ESPN, USA Network, and Prime Video
- Semifinals: NBC/Peacock and ESPN/ABC
- WNBA Finals: NBC, USA Network, and Peacock
One notable change is that this marks the first time since 2000 that a Disney-owned network will not air the WNBA Finals.
WNBA Faces Media Fragmentation Challenges
While the league’s growing list of media partners reflects its rising popularity and value, it also creates challenges for fans trying to follow games across multiple networks and streaming services.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the issue, noting that the league is facing the same media fragmentation affecting the broader sports industry.
Engelbert said she believes consolidation among media companies will eventually simplify the viewing landscape for fans.
WNBA Continues Rapid Growth
The landmark media rights agreement represents another major milestone for the WNBA as the league continues to experience record attendance, rising television ratings, increased sponsorship investment, and growing global visibility.
With expanded national exposure across platforms like ESPN, NBC, CBS, Peacock, Prime Video, and Ion, the WNBA is positioning itself for sustained growth and a new era of mainstream sports relevance.