Amazon Prime And NBC
Starting this season, over 100 regular-season WNBA games will be aired annually thanks to an 11-year media rights agreement between the league and Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC, as announced on Wednesday.
Although the league did not disclose the financial details, a source familiar with the agreement informed The Associated Press that the WNBA is expected to receive approximately $200 million annually. This information was shared under the condition of anonymity, as no official statement has been issued.
Partnerships
The agreement will begin with the 2026 season and extend through 2036. It includes a provision for review after three years, which might lead to increased financial benefits for the WNBA. This announcement follows closely on the heels of the NBA’s own deal.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert highlighted the significance of the partnership with Disney, Amazon, and NBCU, stating, ‘This collaboration represents a major milestone in WNBA history and underscores the remarkable increase in value and interest in women’s basketball.
These agreements enable the league to develop a sustainable growth model for the future, benefiting players, teams, and fans alike.
The agreement also stipulates that the broadcast partners will handle production and marketing responsibilities, meaning the approximately $200 million per year is allocated exclusively for media rights.
The WNBA’s existing media deal is worth approximately $60 million annually. The NBA, which holds around 60% ownership of the WNBA, was instrumental in securing the new agreements.
The updated contracts will see the partners broadcast over 125 regular-season and playoff games nationwide each year. Specifically, Disney will air 25 regular-season games, NBC will cover 50, and Amazon Prime Video will show 30
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Amazon Prime Video
The playoffs will be divided among the three broadcasters. Disney, which owns ABC and ESPN, will air two of the first-round series, while NBC and Amazon Prime Video will each broadcast one.
Throughout the 11-year agreement, the semifinals and finals will alternate between the partners. Disney will cover eight semifinal series and five finals, whereas Amazon Prime Video and NBC will each handle seven semifinals and three finals.
ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro expressed pride in the long-standing and effective partnership with the WNBA, which began in 1997. He stated, ‘With our prominent collection of rights, including the WNBA Finals, we are committed to supporting the league’s remarkable growth and advancing ESPN’s digital future, all while delivering exceptional service to our fans.
WNBA History
Recent seasons have seen impressive ratings for the league, with the All-Star Game last weekend attracting 3.4 million viewers, making it the third most-watched event in WNBA history. This season has featured 17 games with over 1 million viewers each, including 15 that Clark took part in.
The WNBA will grow to 14 teams over the next two seasons. The Golden State Valkyries will play next year, followed by a new franchise in Toronto starting in 2026.
Upon the initial announcement of the deal last week, the players’ union complained about the perceived undervaluation of the league.
Terri Jackson, the union’s executive director, remarked, ‘We have been questioning for months how the NBA would value the WNBA in its media rights agreement. With a reported $75 billion deal in play, the league has the power to shape its own future. However, it is more accurate to say that the NBA holds the reins to the WNBA’s future.
We are eager to understand the basis for the NBA’s $200 million valuation—whether the initial reports are accurate or approximate. Both the NBA and WNBA cannot ignore the remarkable growth the league has experienced recently across all metrics.
The players’ dedication to strengthening the brand and the ongoing support from fans make it unacceptable to undervalue the WNBA once Amazon Prime more.