Fresh off an NCAA championship game that drew record viewership, the WNBA is set to welcome star player Caitlin Clark into its ranks as the likely No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever in the upcoming draft. Clark, the all-time leading NCAA scorer, put on an impressive performance in her final college game for Iowa, scoring 30 points despite the team’s loss to South Carolina in the NCAA championship game. The WNBA and ESPN have announced an exciting upcoming season, with 25 national broadcasts scheduled throughout the regular season across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.
The Fever, along with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty, will be prominently featured on ESPN platforms during the upcoming season. Las Vegas and New York, with their star-studded rosters, will face off multiple times during the regular season, including a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals. The collaboration between the WNBA and ESPN will present up to 52 possible games, including the WNBA Playoffs and the WNBA Finals. The highly anticipated All-Star Game will also air in primetime on ABC from Phoenix for the second consecutive year.
The season kicks off on May 14 as part of WNBA Tip-Off, with a doubleheader featuring the Fever against the Connecticut Sun. Indiana already features 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, who will be a key player to watch in the upcoming season. The Sun, led by standout players Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, will provide a strong challenge for the Fever in the opening game. Indiana is scheduled to play 26 games before the WNBA’s Olympic break, with the potential for Clark to join Team USA in their quest for a seventh consecutive gold medal in Paris, a move that could significantly increase viewership.
Overall, the upcoming WNBA season promises to be action-packed and highly competitive, with star players like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston set to make their mark. The collaboration between the league and ESPN will ensure that fans have ample opportunities to watch their favorite teams and players in action, with 25 national broadcasts planned throughout the regular season. The Fever, Aces, and Liberty are expected to be among the top contenders, with exciting matchups and rematches scheduled throughout the season.
With the WNBA regular season presented by Google and a strong focus on promoting the players and teams, the league is set to build on its recent success and engage fans in new and innovative ways. The upcoming season will be a showcase of talent and skill, with players like Caitlin Clark bringing in record viewership and generating excitement around the sport of women’s basketball. As the season kicks off in May, fans can look forward to a thrilling and competitive season ahead, culminating in the highly anticipated All-Star Game and the WNBA Finals.
