• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Through Three Games, WNBA Finals Sets 20-Year Viewership High

  • The Liberty-Aces series is averaging 673,000 viewers across ABC and ESPN, the most-watched Finals in 20 years.
  • Sunday’s 87-73 win for New York over Las Vegas averaged 659,000 viewers — the most-watched Game 3 in 18 years.
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) waves to the crowd against the Las Vegas Aces during game three of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center.
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Liberty and WNBA Finals viewership both rebounded in Game 3.

Sunday’s 87-73 win for New York over the Las Vegas Aces averaged 659,000 viewers — making it the most-watched Finals Game 3 in 18 years and a 14% increase over 2022’s comparable contest. The contest peaked with 945,000 viewers at 5 p.m. ET.

Interestingly, the WNBA Finals have performed better on Sundays while competing against the NFL rather than on a weeknight: Game 1 of the series garnered 729,000 average viewers, while Game 2 last Wednesday averaged just 626,000.

Overall, though, the WNBA Finals are doing quite well viewership-wise: Through three games, the series is averaging 673,000 viewers across ABC and ESPN — the most-watched Finals through Game 3 in 20 years and a 13% increase from 2022.

The WNBA and the Liberty experienced another win on Sunday as well. With 17,143 attending the game at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, New York reported a league record for gate receipt (specific revenue numbers were not reported). 

Ahead of the series, ticket prices on the secondary market were some of the highest in WNBA history, with Game 3 in particular being one of the best-selling games on record at ticket marketplace StubHub.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

North Carolina Fires Hubert Davis, Will Pay $5.3 Million Buyout

The school said Tuesday night it would honor the coach’s contract.
Mar 7, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Olivia Miles (5) attempts to drive the ball past Kansas State Wildcats forward Nastja Claessens (4) during the second half at T-Mobile Center.

How Much Will the WNBA’s No. 1 Pick Earn in 2026?

Lottery picks will receive full salary protection their rookie season.
Dec 16, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is guarded by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

NBPA Rips Participation Policy, 65-Game Awards Rule

The statements come amid widespread discussion regarding tanking in the NBA.

How March Madness Turns Into a Mid-Major Coaching Raid

The carousel has already led more than half a dozen coaches to new homes.

Featured Today

Beau Brune/LSU

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
exclusive

Mike Tomlin Signs With Sports Media Agency The Montag Group

Tomlin is widely regarded as one of the top media free agents.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC watches his team against Boston Common Golf during TGL match at SoFi Center on March 17, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
March 24, 2026

ESPN Ramps Up Coverage For Tiger Woods TGL Return

Tiger Woods won’t be hard to find on ESPN airwaves on Tuesday.
March 24, 2026

Yankees RSN Bucks Trend Amid Ongoing Industry Pullback

Despite industry pressures, the regional sports network adds to its programming.
Sponsored

Why Capital Is Flooding Into Women’s Soccer

Assia Grazioli-Venier breaks down how she evaluates opportunities across the sports landscape.
Jun 29, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Apple TV commentator Taylor Twellman reports from the pitch before the match between the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
exclusive
March 24, 2026

Taylor Twellman Joins Yahoo Sports for World Cup

Twellman will regularly appear on multiple shows, including “Yahoo Sports Daily.”
Feb 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Basketball analyst Bill Raftery before the game between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Longhorns at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2026

‘Onions!’ and All: Bill Raftery Still Steals March Madness

The 82-year-old remains on top of his game.
Spotify
March 23, 2026

Spotify Lays Off 15 Employees, Including Ringer Staffers

The layoffs impacted 3% of Spotify’s podcast division.
March 23, 2026

March Madness Tips Off With Record 9.8M Opening Day Viewers

Games on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV were up 6% from last year.