How Does the WNBA Culture War Factor Into Ratings?
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The WNBA has seen record ratings, with the Aug. 16 game between the Atlanta Dream and the Indiana Fever being the most-watched WNBA game ever on cable. However, the league has been caught up in a culture war, with controversies surrounding players Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham dominating the discourse. This has fueled attention and social chatter for women's professional basketball, but crediting this for the league's viewer growth does a disservice to the actual game play.
Women's sports have been on an upward ratings trajectory in recent years, and the WNBA's success can be attributed to players like Clark, whose shooting ability has helped lift all teams. The controversies have centered on Clark and Cunningham, with political debates over their stances on transgender issues fueling conservative media coverage.
Despite the drama, the league's most loyal fans have not been swayed and are expected to remain, according to sports journalist Melissa Isaacson. The league also has a media rights agreement with Versant for USA Network to present WNBA games starting in the 2026 season, which should help sustain growth.
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