Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

ESPN Makes Historic WNBA Announcement on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 11:05 AM ET

In a season that saw needle-mover Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever miss the majority of the year, A'ja Wilson win her fourth league MVP and her Las Vegas Aces clinch the WNBA championship, ESPN has revealed record viewership numbers from the 2025 season.

ESPN announced its 2025 coverage delivered the most-watched WNBA regular season and postseason ever across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, based on Nielsen Big Data + Panel.

Across 25 regular-season telecasts on ESPN networks, the WNBA averaged 1.3 million viewers (up 6% year-over-year), while 24 postseason telecasts averaged 1.2 million viewers (up 5% year-over-year).

ESPN also said the 2025 WNBA postseason was the most-viewed across all networks, which also includes CBS and Ion, since 1999, with the 2025 WNBA Finals on ABC becoming the second-most-watched finals telecast in ESPN network history.

History made!

The 2025 #WNBA season on ESPN networks was the most-watched EVER across the regular season & postseason

Details: https://t.co/AO0qxKUUee pic.twitter.com/RBtp7028F4
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 16, 2025

According to Nielsen, the WNBA’s nationally televised regular-season average was at about 969,000 viewers across ABC, ESPN, CBS and Ion, a 3% increase year-over-year, with Disney-owned networks (ABC/ESPN) averaging 1.3 million for their games and airing eight of the league’s top 10 most-watched games.

The top single-game audience on ABC for the season came during a Fever vs. Chicago Sky matchup on May 17, with Clark active, drawing roughly 2.7 million viewers.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts to a flagrant foul by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While Clark played in just 13 games, a mix of established stars and new names helped sustain national interest throughout 2025.

Wilson and Napheesa Collier took the MVP race down to the wire, Angel Reese built off her dominant rookie season, again leading the league in rebounding (12.6 rebounds per game) and former UConn Huskies sensation Paige Bueckers carried her elite play over to the pros, earning Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The addition of a Bay Area franchise (Golden State Valkyries) and an expanded 44-game schedule further helped drive viewership numbers and national interest.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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