Wednesday, September 30, 2026

2022 WNBA Regular Season Notches Multiple Viewership and Fan Milestones

  • The league announced multiple milestones across merchandise, viewership, and social media.
  • The league’s growth and success follows a trend in women’s sports.
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Women’s sports are growing in popularity across the board — and the WNBA is no exception.

The league’s regular season, which concluded Sunday, saw upticks in television viewership, social media engagement, and merchandise purchases, the league announced.

Viewership on national television went up 16% compared with last year, marking the highest-rated season since 2008. The league’s subscription service, WNBA League Pass, also saw a 10% jump in subscribers.

Social media handles on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat saw a 36% increase in video viewership — for a total of 186 million.

The WNBA All-Star game enjoyed record merchandise sales, twice as much as the previous record.

“We can officially say the #WNBA regular season was a SUCCESS,” the league said on Twitter.

The playoffs tip off on Wednesday between the New York Liberty and the defending champion Chicago Sky. 

The league’s recent growth and success is reflected in the college pipeline, too. The NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament set multiple viewership and attendance milestones. 

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cathy Engelbert Out As WNBA Commissioner After 2026

The controversial executive is retiring, the league said Friday.

Enes Kanter Freedom Sues Chicago Sky, City of Chicago

Sky owner Michael Alter said Freedom “made himself into a threat.”

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.

Skylar Diggins Laments Chicago Sky’s Practice Facility Delay

Diggins said she expects to be with the Sky next season.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/30/26 – Man City Found Guilty, NBA’s $12B Vegas Race, College Sports Bill Passes

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”
Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
August 30, 2026

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.

Stephen A. Smith: McAfee Has a ‘Different Set of Rules’ at ESPN

Smith signed a nine-figure contract with ESPN last year.
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Former Houston Texans JJ Watt speaks to the fans during his Ring Of Honor Ceremony at halftime during the game between the Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Opinion
September 14, 2026

J.J. Watt Wasn’t Better Than Tony Romo—but He Was Good Enough

Watt will remain with CBS’s top team for at least two more weeks.
Sep 11, 2026; Melbourne, AUS; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (5) makes a touchdown catch over Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) in the second half at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
September 14, 2026

Netflix’s Australia Game Ties YouTube’s NFL Numbers From Brazil

The subscription streaming service posted an increase in global viewership.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Aug 8, 2026; Canton, OH, USA; Chris Berman moderates the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
September 14, 2026

How ESPN Will Use Chris Berman in Its Super Bowl Coverage

Berman has covered 44 straight Super Bowls and watched all 60.
Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a committee event with the Artemis II crew members on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
September 12, 2026

ESPN Faces Criticism for Giving Ted Cruz ‘GameDay’ Air Time

No opponents of the Protect College Sports Act have been interviewed on “GameDay.”
September 12, 2026

Revamped McAfee Kicking Contest Pays First Winner $1.2M

The contest has entered its fourth season on College GameDay.
The Herd
Exclusive
September 12, 2026

Colin Cowherd Buys Stake in EPL’s Ipswich

Other Ipswich investors include Marques Colston and Ed Sheeran.