The New York Liberty celebrates after winning the 2024 WNBA Championship against the Minnesota Lynx during Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals on October 20, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
David Sherman | National Basketball Association | Getty Images
It was a big finish to the 2024 WNBA season.
Game 5 of this year's WNBA Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty was the most-watched Finals game in 25 years across all networks, according to ESPN, citing Nielsen data. The game was broadcast on ESPN and topped 3.3 million viewers.
Game 5's viewership is especially impressive considering the competition for attention Sunday night. Both the National Football League's “Sunday Night Football” and Major League Baseball's National Championship Series were simulcast.
Viewership across the entire WNBA Finals series more than doubled from last year, a continuation of the growing popularity of the WNBA and women's sports more broadly.
This year's finals were further aided by a close battle between a perennial WNBA power in the Lynx and a former lesser championship contender in the Liberty. Four of the five games were decided by five points or fewer, and two games, including the final, went into overtime. Liberty was ultimately victorious with a 67-62 win in front of their home crowd.
The impressive viewership caps off a WNBA season that saw increased viewership, engagement and attendance across the board.
The league also recently entered into a new media rights agreement, which was negotiated as part of the National Basketball Association's agreement with broadcast partners. The league's new deal is worth $2.2 billion over 11 seasons, with an agreement to reevaluate terms after the 2028 season, CNBC previously reported.
And there's room for a run in the WNBA: Several new teams will debut over the next two seasons, with the Golden State Valkyries starting play in the 2025 season. Next year will also feature 44 regular season games instead of 40, as well as seven Finals games instead of five.
The National Women's Basketball Players Association said Monday it would withdraw from the collective bargaining agreement it earlier reached with the league. The current CBA will remain in place for the 2025 season, according to the Associated Press.
