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WNBA Viewership Surges in 2025 Despite Caitlin Clark Missing Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 11:21 AM ET

The WNBA’s viewership boom has extended into 2025, even as the league’s biggest star, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, has been sidelined for half of the team’s season.

Now in her second year as a pro, Clark remains the face of the WNBA and its top ratings draw. But despite missing 13 of the Fever’s 27 games, national broadcasts are up across the board, signaling the league’s broader momentum.

Through 56 nationally televised games, the WNBA is averaging 794,000 viewers, a 21% jump from 2024’s full-season average, per Nielsen data. Fever games continue to dominate, pulling 1.26 million viewers on average.

Still, the most remarkable stat may be this: non-Fever broadcasts are up 37% from last year, averaging 549,000 viewers across 37 games. The league’s product remains strong, even without Clark on the court.

Clark’s Absence Didn’t Stop Fans From Watching Across Networks

While Clark’s presence still commands attention, her season opener vs. the Chicago Sky drew 2.7 million viewers; her missed games haven’t tanked interest.

In fact, CBS has seen two games break the 1.9 million mark this season, only one of which featured Clark. Their other four games have averaged 906,000 viewers, up 33% compared to the same point last year and higher than the 2023 WNBA Finals.

The WNBA is averaging 794,000 viewers through 56 games this year across all national networks, a source tells FOS.

That is 21% higher than the WNBA’s full-season viewership average in 2024.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 30, 2025

ESPN, which includes ABC and ESPN2, is up 3% year-over-year, while Ion, operating on a different distribution model, has climbed 4%. Even NBA TV, often a lower-tier outlet for WNBA content, has exploded with a 58% increase in viewership.

That cross-network growth reflects a broader national interest in teams, matchups and emerging talent, not just the singular appeal of Clark.

CBA Negotiations and League Expansion Add Context to Ratings Boom

These ratings gains come amid momentous labor negotiations and rapid league growth. WNBPA and WNBA commissioners met during the 2025 All-Star Weekend, where players—including Clark—donned "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts to protest stagnant compensation under the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement, which expires October 31.

Players are pushing for salary increases, revenue sharing reform, and codified charter travel, amid concerns about a potential lockout.

The league is expanding rapidly, with up to 13 teams by 2025, and franchises in Toronto and Portland scheduled for 2026. Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia are expected to follow by 2030.

This push for expansion coincides with new $2.2 billion media rights agreements, which are set to begin in 2026. The WNBA’s rising TV numbers, even without Clark in the lineup, bolster the players’ leverage in these negotiations, demonstrating that the league has grown beyond its reliance on any one player.

Together, the audience surge, along with active CBA dialogue and expansion planning, signals a league maturing in business and brand presence. Ratings growth isn’t just about Clark; it reflects a broader cultural shift engaging fans across markets and storylines.

As talks advance and expansion plans unfold, this viewership performance sets a strong tone ahead of next season’s broadcasting landscape.

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

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