The WNBA's media rights deal has increased to over $3 billion, just two years after its initial agreement. The deal, originally valued at $2.2 billion, now averages $281 million annually, significantly boosting the league's revenue.
Key points
WNBA's media rights deal now exceeds $3 billion
Deal increased from $2.2 billion in 2024
Average annual value is $281 million
Previous deal's annual average was $43 million
Total media revenue last year was $60 million
Mentioned in this story
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WNBA
WNBA's media rights deal reportedly grows to more than $3 billion
The WNBA's media deal has already risen in value just two years after securing the historic agreement.
According to a Front Office Sports report, the $2.2 billion, 11-year media deal that the league secured in July 2024 with Disney (ABC, ESPN), NBCUniversal (NBC, Peacock), Amazon (Prime Video), Paramount (CBS), Scripps (Ion), USA Sports (USA Network) and NBA TV is now worth more than $3.1 billion.
The new average annual value of the deal is reportedly $281 million, roughly 6.5 times more than the previous deal’s annual average of $43 million. The total media revenue for the league last year was also reportedly $60 million.
Adding USA Sports and renewed deals with Scripps and Paramount pushed the league's media deal to $3.1 billion. The WNBA's media deals also reportedly include "reset provisions" beginning in 2028. Either side can trigger the provision, creating a pathway to renegotiate the terms of the deal.
2000: Ann Wauters, Cleveland Rockers (USV Olympic, France)
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WNBA No. 1 overall draft picks by year
1999: Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics (Tennessee)
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WNBA No. 1 overall draft picks by year
1998: Margo Dydek, Utah Starzz (Fota Porta Gdynia, Poland)
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WNBA No. 1 overall draft picks by year
1997: Tina Thompson, Houston Comets (Southern California)
For the 2026 season, the league has a record 216 matchups on national TV. Scripps (Ion) has the most regular-season games (50), and USA Network is set to host at least 50 regular-season and playoff games, as well as a portion of the WNBA semifinals and finals in select years, starting this season.
The 2026 WNBA playoffs will be spread across NBC and Peacock, ABC and ESPN, USA Network and Prime Video.
