WNBA viewership keeps outpacing the NHL

The latest WNBA viewership numbers are in, and the league continues to outdraw some men's leagues in the U.S.

Average viewership this season is nearly double that of the NHL’s U.S. viewership last year. Even games without Fever star Caitlin Clark are doing better than hockey.

“We’re hot right now,” Sky coach Tyler Marsh said pregame.

Sky guard Kia Nurse, whose brother Darnell plays in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers, explained the growth this way: “All these new players are coming into the league that already have fan bases, and they’re following their favorite players into the W. We’re all over social media.”

So does Nurse have bragging rights over her brother?

“Maybe in the U.S.,” she said, laughing. “But in Canada, the hockey people might come for me.”

Nurse is more excited about the accessibility that’s come with the growth.

“It’s really exciting that now when you walk into sports bars or pubs, the games are on,” she said.

Growing viewership also raises questions about the WNBA’s new media deal, which kicks in next season. The $200 million annual figure is a massive increase from the last contract and will help players get a raise.

But the deal still pales in comparison to men’s leagues. The NHL’s TV deal is worth three times more. The NBA’s portion of the same overall media deal is 34 times larger.

One reason is the WNBA’s shorter season. The league played about a third as many games as the NBA and NHL last season, including playoffs. That limits media value.

More games are on the horizon — or at least under discussion in the current CBA talks. The league is expanding to 18 teams but still wants to keep the season mostly May through early November. Players have pushed back against cramming more games into the same window, citing rest and recovery concerns.

They’ve also questioned the league’s new media deal. Signed last year — and negotiated by the NBA on the WNBA’s behalf — it gives the WNBA just 3% of the total package. Union president Nneka Ogwumike and secretary Elizabeth Williams told the Sun-Times in recent weeks they still believe the deal undervalues the W’s contribution.

Their case gains credibility as WNBA viewership rises while the long-term trend for the NBA is mostly flat.

The deal can be re-evaluated in 2028, though the exact terms remain unclear.

Valkyries’ coach Natalie Nakase reacts to the growth

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase grew up in the women’s basketball ecosystem. She played her college ball at UCLA, went pro in Germany, and tried to make the WNBA but got cut.

So did she expect this level of attention on the game — enough to surpass established men’s leagues?

“It was just a matter of time,” she said pregame. “The women’s skill set is growing rapidly.”

Nakase, who cut her teeth coaching in the NBA before joining the Aces and later the Valkyries, pointed to her former point guard Chelsea Gray as an example of that growth.

“Chelsea Gray throws behind-the-back passes in transition, without losing a beat,” Nakase said. “I can’t name one guy right now that could make a behind-the-back pass in transition, in stride.”