June 12th 2024.
The 2024 WNBA season has kicked off with a fiery start, breaking records left and right. Fans have been flocking to arenas in droves, creating an electric atmosphere that hasn't been seen in 26 years. The numbers speak for themselves, with over 400,000 attendees in the first month alone, making it the highest attendance in over two decades.
But it's not just the packed stands that are turning heads. The WNBA has reported a staggering 156% increase in sellouts compared to last year. This shows the immense support and enthusiasm for the league, as it enters its 28th season on May 14th. And it's not just in-person support that's on the rise; more viewers than ever are tuning in to watch the games on popular networks such as ABC, CBS, ESPN, and NBA TV. In fact, viewership has nearly tripled, with an average of 1.32 million viewers per game, a significant increase from last season's 462,000.
Some games have seen even higher spikes in viewership, such as the Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun opener, which peaked at 2.34 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA game ever on Disney platforms. Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison believes that the increase in support for the league is a confirmation of what they've always known: the demand for women's sports is there and it's a valuable investment. He also expressed excitement over the growing engagement from new and diverse audiences who are joining the WNBA fandom.
The numbers don't lie – the WNBA is experiencing a surge in engagement, with a more diverse audience showing their support for the women's league. During Tip-Off week, there was a 124% increase in viewers under 35 years old, and a 139% increase in viewership among young girls. The league has also seen a significant increase in viewership among people of color compared to last year.
One factor that may have contributed to the WNBA's growing popularity is the influx of talented rookies. As previously noted by BLACK ENTERPRISE, newcomers like Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever have been making waves and generating buzz on social media. The WNBA has also highlighted the attention received by other rookie players, such as Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks and Kate Martin of the Las Vegas Aces. In fact, the league's social media has seen a massive 380% increase in video views during the first week of the season compared to last year.
And it's not just the on-court action that's gaining attention – merchandise sales have also seen a significant boost. Jerseys of top rookies like Clark, Reese, and Brink have been flying off the shelves, with sales up 756% compared to the same period last year. This has already set a single-season record for the WNBA Store. Additionally, WNBA League Pass subscriptions have increased by 335% compared to the previous season.
It's clear that the 2024 WNBA season is off to an incredible start, with record-breaking numbers and a diverse and engaged audience showing their support for the league. And with the impressive talent of this year's rookies and the growing popularity on social media, there's no doubt that the WNBA will continue to soar to new heights.
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