Brittney Griner’s long-awaited WNBA return made some viewership history for ESPN.
Per the network’s PR team, the Phoenix Mercury’s opener vs. the Los Angeles Sparks made for ESPN’s most-viewed regular season WNBA game on cable in nearly a quarter-century.
ESPN recorded its most-viewed regular season #WNBA game on cable in 24 years!
???? Brittney Griner's @PhoenixMercury return against the @LASparks was the most-viewed Opening Day on ESPN platforms in 11 years
???? 683K avg. viewers, audience peak 1M
???? Up 103% year-over-year pic.twitter.com/CRNi5nADXK— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) May 22, 2023
By the numbers:
- Griner’s return was the most-viewed Opening Day on ESPN in 11 years
- The game averaged 683,000 viewers with a peak audience of 1 million
- It marked a 103% year-over-year increase from 2022’s Opening Night on ESPN platforms
Fans reacted to the ratings news on social media.
???? ???? https://t.co/COPdKoOwtH
— christian orban (@ein_wurf) May 23, 2023
“Just the facts!” a user said. “WNBA is blowing up! Time to expand!!!!”
Just the facts! @WNBA is blowing up! Time to expand!!!! https://t.co/2SeL63h4Wu
— Shattering Glass (@Shatterin_glass) May 23, 2023
“I love these stats because YOY, WNBA proves to be getting more and more viewership,” tweeted Ari Chambers. “This is directly juxtaposed with visibility and access. And buyers/investors/companies now see it’s the wave. Numbers talk and the W is loud.”
I love these stats because YOY, @wnba proves to be getting more and more viewership. This is directly juxtaposed with visibility and access. And buyers/investors/companies now see it’s the wave. Numbers talk and the W is loud ???????????????? https://t.co/sucdckj1qO
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) May 23, 2023
“And this game was on at 11pm on the East Coast. Imagine id it was on in prime time across all time zones. Love seeing these numbers!” another replied.
And this game was on at 11pm on the East Coast.
Imagine id it was on in prime time across all time zones.
Love seeing these numbers!#WNBATwitter https://t.co/NSsIrQEouU— jeffywitt (@jeffywitt1) May 22, 2023
A big W for The W.
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