• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

WNBA And Scripps Team Up For Friday Night TV Package

  • WNBA games to air 15 Friday nights on ION.
  • ‘WNBA Friday Night Spotlight’ games mark first deal for new Scripps Sports.
Cathy Engelbert and Adam Symson
Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)

The skyrocketing appeal of women’s sports is underlined by a new agreement announced Thursday.

The WNBA has a multiyear agreement with The E.W. Scripps Company to televise games Friday nights on ION. 

“Access to watch WNBA games is in high demand, and Scripps’ dedicated Friday night lineup of WNBA games on ION will become much-desired appointment viewing for WNBA fans,” said WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

The regular-season games will appear in two windows over the 15-week period from May 26-Sept. 8, and there will be both national and regional telecasts. 

The WNBA will be ION’s first sports property.  

Recent record TV ratings for Women’s Final Four illustrate the popularity of women’s sports, noted Brian Lawlor, president of the new Scripps Sports. ION boasts a large audience of female viewers in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 age group.

“We’re starting a big franchise night for the [WNBA],” Lawlor said. “We will have every game. We’ll be able to distribute it on a national basis, but also localize every game — sort of like CBS and Fox do on [NFL] Sunday afternoons.”

MLB Rights On Deck?

Meanwhile, Scripps Sports has positioned itself as a white knight to MLB teams eager to bail out of their contracts with bankrupt Diamond Sports and its Bally Sports RSNs.

“We may be part of a solution in specific markets. Time will tell on that,” Lawlor said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ladies European Tour Gets Prize Money Boost From Saudi Arabia

A new PIF Global Series will pay out $13 million.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy with tight end Travis Kelce (87) after the AFC championship NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 29, 2023, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

F1 Team Part-Owned by Mahomes, Kelce Makes Changes Amid Struggle

Alpine is ninth in the constructors’ championship.
May 4, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (1) and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (81) during the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome.

F1 Loses Money, but Books $14.2B in Future Revenue

Executives convey optimism despite earnings issues and unresolved media rights.

Even As Pacers Keep Winning, No Arena Conflict With Caitlin Clark, Fever

The Pacers are ahead 2–0 in the conference semifinals against the Cavaliers.

Featured Today

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 6, 2025

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.

Caitlin Clark Is Still Must-See TV, Even in the WNBA Preseason

Indiana will have 41 regular-season games nationally televised or streamed.
May 4, 2025

Kentucky Derby Sets Ratings, Betting Records Despite Attendance Dip

The crowd of 147,406 at Churchill Downs was down 6% from last year.
May 5, 2025

NBA Misses a Dynasty Duel—but Gains a Star-Making Moment

The Warriors defeated the Rockets in seven games.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
Fubo-TV
May 2, 2025

Fubo Loses Subscribers; Focused on Disney Deal Despite Antitrust Probe

The streaming company plans to debut its planned sports bundle this fall.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; ESPN president John Skipper during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium.
exclusive
May 2, 2025

Former ESPN President John Skipper Leaving Meadowlark Media

Skipper co-founded the company with host Dan Le Batard in 2021.
May 1, 2025

Formula One Courts Bidders As ESPN Exclusivity Laps Out

The motorsports property is in the final year of its ESPN deal.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.