Friday, September 18, 2026

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

The game drew 1.7 million viewers Sunday afternoon on ESPN, the third-largest regular-season audience on the network.

Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

WNBA viewership is smashing the million-viewer mark again with Caitlin Clark back in action.

A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces’ eight-point win over Clark and the Indiana Fever on Sunday afternoon drew 1.7 million viewers on ESPN, the third-most-watched regular-season WNBA game on the network. It’s also the most-watched game on cable so far this season.

It’s the fifth-most-watched game of the 2025 WNBA season, which has just passed the one-month mark, slightly more than a quarter of the year. The top five most-watched games all featured the Fever, including the June 7 game against the Chicago Sky that was one of five games Clark missed due to a quad injury.

FOS graphic

Despite Clark’s three-week absence, ESPN announced Tuesday that its WNBA viewership is up 14% this season compared to last year. The network was dealt a great hand as none of the games Clark missed were broadcast nationally on ESPN, while her return on June 14 aired on ABC.

ESPN networks will carry seven more Fever games this season, but the next won’t come until July 13, the first pro meeting between Clark and Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings.

The numbers also show that Amazon Prime Video received a gift as the Fever will be competing in the championship game of the Commissioner’s Cup—the WNBA’s in-season tournament—on July 1 against the Minnesota Lynx. The Fever qualified for the game by going 4–1 in Commissioner’s Cup games despite having just a 6–7 record for the season.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Exclusive

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Hart arrives on the red carpet before the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center.

LeBron James and Kevin Hart Planning YouTube Golf Collab

Both celebrities recently launched golf content channels.

Knicks Blame ‘Mistake’ for Sky-High Ticket Prices

The team halted ticket sales and will issue partial refunds.
Brian Windhorst ESPN

Brian Windhorst Discusses Global Podcast Tour, LeBron’s Fanatics Deal

Windhorst also discussed the Clippers’ punishment and LeBron’s potential commute.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Ratings Dip, Steve Belichick Resigns, Knicks Ticket Refunds

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are foregoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
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
September 10, 2026

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.
Hawkeye and Oregon fans gather for FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff Nov. 8, 2025 in front of the Old Capitol Building on the University of Iowa Campus in Iowa City, Iowa.

College Football’s London Debut Brings Big Opportunity for Fox

Kansas and Arizona State are facing off at Wembley Stadium.
Mike Tomlin NBC Sports
Opinion
September 17, 2026

Sports Media Winners and Losers From the Start of Football Season

There were plenty of sports media happenings across college and the NFL.
Sep 11, 2026; Melbourne, AUS; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) rushes the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
September 17, 2026

NFL Week 1 Ratings Fall 13% Despite New Broadcast Schedule

The league saw a surprisingly sharp drop in viewership.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams mascot Rampage (center) visits Ryan Fitzpatrick (left) and Andrew Whitworth on the Prime Thursday Night Football set at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
September 16, 2026

Why Fitzpatrick and Whitworth Won’t Trade Studio for the Booth

The Prime Video analysts also weighed in on the Rams’ Week 1 loss.
Jun 24, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
September 16, 2026

Tirico Addresses Michael Jordan’s NBC Exit, Hopeful He’ll Return

Jordan served as a “special contributor” for NBC last season.
Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; General view of the Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football logo at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2026

Amazon’s Bills-Lions Game Shows Established NFL Presence

The streamer will begin the season with the new Highmark Stadium opening.
September 15, 2026

ABC Draws Record 3.2M Viewers for US Open Men’s Final

Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton to claim his second Grand Slam title.