• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Women’s Basketball National Title Game Still Won’t Get Primetime Treatment

  • The 2024 Championship Game will be on ABC for a second straight year, but will still not be in primetime.
  • The 2023 edition between LSU and Iowa was by far the most-watched women’s college basketball game of all time.
LSU Lady Tigers guard Jasmine Carson dribbles the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark in the first half during the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament at the American Airlines Center.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN has released its plans to cover the 2024 Women’s Final Four in Cleveland — and it’s still far from ideal.

The Women’s Final Four will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 5, followed by the National Championship Game on Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. ESPN will release its full schedule for the 2023-24 women’s college basketball season next week.

While parent company Disney is maintaining its plan to broadcast the National Championship on its ABC network for the second consecutive year, it’s also keeping the early tipoff instead of moving the contest up to primetime.

This is despite the 2023 telecast averaging 9.9 million viewers to become by far the most-watched women’s college basketball game of all time. 

Disney also saw proof of concept when it aired the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game on ABC in primetime to an audience of 850,000 — the most-watched edition of the game in 16 years.

Regardless, ESPN continues to invest in the women’s game: In September, the media company announced it would televise the entire Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament — essentially, the women’s version of the NIT — on its platforms. Most of the tournament will air on ESPN+, with the semifinals on ESPNU and the finals on ESPN2. 

With another strong showing, ESPN could be looking to renew its media rights deal for Women’s March Madness, which will be up for grabs in 2025; the next round of negotiations could fetch as much as $112 million per year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Belichick’s Tar Heels Are Losing Momentum on the Field—and on TV

ESPN passed on airing Virginia–North Carolina on Oct. 25.

Cavaliers Go All In, Lead NBA With Record $392M Payroll

The Cavs are the only second-apron violator in the NBA.

RAJ Sports Withdraws Lawsuit Over Trail Blazers Stake

RAJ Sports had sued the Cherng family, owner of Panda Express.
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and NBA app logo and basketballs in front of the base during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Will Take Over League Pass After WBD Divorce

The league now has full operational control of those media assets.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
MLS

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Micah Parsons
exclusive
October 14, 2025

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Aces
October 10, 2025

WNBA Finals Most Viewed In 25 Years Despite Possible Aces Sweep

Games 2 and 3 have averaged more than 1.2 million viewers.
Spectrum
October 10, 2025

ESPN Streaming Service at Core of New Spectrum Plan

The No. 1 U.S. distributor further blends linear and streaming TV.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Alyssa Lang Joins ESPN NBA Sideline Reporter Ranks

Lang has been a host and reporter for ESPN and SEC Network since 2018.
Oregon Ducks inside linebacker Will Straton celebrates a stop as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
October 9, 2025

CBS Eyes Breakthrough As Big Ten Ratings Still Lag Behind SEC

The network will air No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon on Saturday.