Tuesday, March 10, 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

Clippers Keep Winning While Aspiration Ruling Looms

Los Angeles is .500 for the first time since November.

Adam Silver Steps In and Cancels Hawks’ Magic City Promotion

“Magic City Monday” was scheduled for March 16.
Oct 26, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives the baseline against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

Hornets Send Heat Second-Round Pick to Settle Rozier Issue

Rozier hasn’t played since his October arrest.

Featured Today

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.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Nicole Silveira
March 3, 2026

The Tattoo Marking Membership in the Most Exclusive Club in Sports

For athletes, the Olympic rings tattoo is “about everything it took.”

March Madness Getting Chalkier, but TV Networks Aren’t Worried

The two networks remain bullish despite increasing chalkiness in college basketball.
March 10, 2026

Angels Buy Out RSN Stake From Main Street Sports

The MLB club responds in unique fashion to the ongoing RSN crisis.
Mar 29, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; CBS Sports reporter Lauren Shehadi speaks prior to a game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Florida Gators during the West Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
exclusive
March 10, 2026

Lauren Shehadi Lands Netflix MLB Reporter Role

Shehadi will make her debut during Netflix’s Opening Night game on March 25.
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts during the second half against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
March 9, 2026

Travis Kelce Return Delays Media Sweepstakes

The star tight end is expected to return to the Chiefs in 2026.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
exclusive
March 9, 2026

ESPN Scoops Up Ex–Washington Post Reporters

The Post shuttered its sports section on Feb. 4.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The NFL Network logo on the field during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
exclusive
March 6, 2026

NFL Network Talents Learn Their Fate After ESPN Takeover

ESPN will absorb talent contracts through the remainder of their terms.
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
March 6, 2026

Scouting the Top NFL TV Free Agents of 2026

There could be several new famous faces on NFL broadcasts next season.