The ascension of basketball star Caitlin Clark has made the WNBA more popular than ever. Fans are tuning in and buying tickets at rates not seen in decades. Despite that success, financial struggles remain for the league, which is expected to lose $50 million this year.
Games airing on networks like ESPN and CBS are averaging 1.32 million viewers, almost three times higher than last year’s game average. Even merchandise sales are skyrocketing, with a 756% increase in sales compared to the same time last year.
The league is hoping that broadcasting rights and expansion can help it capitalize on its young star players, like Clark, who are bringing in more fans and money. The NBA owns a majority stake in the WNBA and is negotiating a rights deal for both leagues reported to reach $7 billion.
The WNBA currently has 12 teams, with new teams being added in 2025 and 2026 in California’s Bay Area and Toronto, Canada, respectively. The report states that new teams pay a $50 million fee to secure rights to a team.
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