WNBA Media Rights Deal: Here's What You Need to Know
The WNBA has secured a big increase in media rights, as expected. But what do fans need to know about the new 11-year deal announced by the league? Here are some of the biggest details when it comes to how the W will be consumed going forward.
How Much Money is the Deal Worth?
The base agreement is reportedly worth about $200 million per season, or $2.2 billion in total. This represents an increase of more than three times the existing number of $60 million per year that ends in 2025.
Is the W Still Undervalued?
Cheryl Miller had famously called the figure above "low ball" at the record-setting WNBA All-Star Game, however, reports suggest that the agreement which runs from 2026-2036 can potentially be evaluated after three years to give the league a chance to get even more money.
Where Can Fans Watch?
The deal is in partnership with Disney, Amazon, and NBC Universal. This means broadcasts will be divided between ABC, ESPN, NBC, USA Network, Peacock, and Prime Video. The playoffs will also be broadcast across all those outlets with the Finals being with Disney five years, and NBC and Amazon three respectively. The WNBA has existing deals with CBS and Ion that can still be renegotiated to bring in at least $60 million in additional revenue.
What Has the League Said?
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said this in a statement. "Partnering with Disney, Amazon and NBCU marks a monumental chapter in WNBA history and clearly demonstrates the significant rise in value and the historic level of interest in women's basketball. These agreements allow the league to continue to build a long-term and sustainable growth model for the future of women's basketball and sports which will benefit WNBA players, teams and fans."
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!