When the overall schedule for the WNBA gets unveiled, one of the questions that immediately enters the mind of many a fan is what the slate will resemble in terms of national television broadcasts.
Roughly a week ago, that national television schedule was unveiled.
Much of the WNBA’s schedule is indeed available through one of its national media partners. This includes the ABC/ESPN family of networks, CBS and CBS Sports Network, Ion Television, NBA TV and Amazon Prime Video.
That will change beginning with the 2026 regular season when NBC and Peacock join in on the fun – and will air that season’s WNBA Finals in its first go-round back with the W.
That national television schedule will commence on Opening Night on Ion Television (May 16) with the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics at CareFirst Arena (formerly the DC Entertainment and Sports Arena). At that same time as the Dream’s matchup with the Mystics, the Minnesota Lynx will be on the road at the College Park Center in Arlington where the Dallas Wings await.
In the nightcap on Ion, the WNBA’s newfound California rivalry will take shape when the Los Angeles Sparks will be at Chase Center as the Golden State Valkyries take to the court for the first time since its expansion announcement.
Without further ado, here are our five thoughts on this season’s national television and streaming schedule.
The Obvious….
When we noticed television schedules being released, one of the things that automatically we were on the lookout for would be how many games the Indiana Fever would be featured in.
Virtually their entire schedule is to be carried on national television. The Fever almost do not need a local television partner or streamer at this point. A grand total of 44 of Indiana’s games is to be seen on someone’s national television.
We get that the Caitlin Clark effect is real and it is coupled with the Fever playing its best basketball last season down the stretch last season. It is still astonishing that Fever in merely two seasons are being featured more on national television than either of the three teams that participated in the last two WNBA Finals.
And we have not even mentioned how this season’s All-Star weekend is also in Indianapolis.
Opening Weekend on ESPN
Neither ESPN or the W can get enough of the drama, can they?
Following the aforementioned three-game slate on Ion Television on Friday to open the season, two games are set to take place on the ESPN/ABC family of channels.
One of those will feature the New York Liberty receiving their championship rings and 2024 championship banner being raised to the rafters of the Barclays Center. Their opponent? The Las Vegas Aces.
Yep – the Liberty will be receiving their hardware and banner right in front of an A’ja Wilson who will be more than motivated to ensure those championship processions are once again happening at Michelob Ultra Arena at the start of the 2026 season.
Then – there is the Fever taking on Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky following the Aces-Liberty get-together.
Again – ESPN and the WNBA are actively participating in trying to make fetch happen with a Clark-Reese rivalry – one that Clark herself said does not exist.
We get ESPN and the WNBA are trying desperately to recreate Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird and are desperately trying to recapture the “magic” of the LSU vs. Iowa 2023 national championship game. But if there is any reason for there to be a Sky/Fever rivalry, it is because of their relative geographical proximity to each.
Indiana and Chicago will meet up on five different occasions this season – including thrice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Dallas Wings
The Wings are a team that underwent plenty of turnover both on-court and in the front office following a disappointing 2024.
Amber Cox left for Indiana. Latricia Trammell was relieved over her duties as head coach in favor of Chris Kolcanes. Satou Sabally went to Phoenix and Natasha Howard took her talents to the Fever.
They still do have Arike Ogunbowale and it is a safe bet they will draft Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick.
Dallas will be on national television on 23 of its 44 occasions. That is still a far cry from the Fever’s 41. Out of those 23, 17 will air on either Ion Television, ESPN, ABC or Prime Video.
One would think that as big a star as Bueckers has established herself to be on the collegiate level that she is more than worthy of a Clark-esque push. Perhaps if Dallas re-establishes itself as a contender prior to moving to Dallas proper in 2026, that will change.
The Wings are especially hoping 2025 is productive given Ogunbowale is in a walk year. She will be an unrestricted free agent going into 2026.
Phoenix Mercury
The two names that have been synonymous with the Mercury over the last two decades are no longer sporting Phoenix orange and purple.
Diana Taurasi has called it a career and Brittney Griner will now suit up for the Dream.
That did not stop Nick U’ren from ensuring Phoenix remains in the contenders’ chat. The Mercury added Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas via trade to give Phoenix a solid big three alongside Kahleah Copper.
Who fills the massive hole voided by BG is still a question mark. Still – the Mercury will be on television on 21 different occasions nationally. Seven of those occasions will be on Ion Television on Friday – but six of those are on Prime Video along with another six on NBA TV.
Phoenix may not have names that are considered marquee – but our guess is the Mercury will still be a marquee team when it matters most.
Golden State Valkyries
Many a W pundit is not expecting much from the Valkyries in 2025 given that this is the team’s first season of existence.
Golden State is still getting some national television love to the tune of 17 televised contests. None of those are on ESPN – and only one of those is on ABC – a June 7 contest where the Valks host the Las Vegas Aces. One of those is on big CBS – on July 12 – also against the Aces but this time the game will be in Sin City. The Valkyries’ lone CBS Sports Network telecast will be on July 27 at the Connecticut Sun.
Seven of those games are on Ion Television. Four of those matchups are NBA TV telecasts. Three are on Prime Video.
What really has us intrigued is who the Valkyries will announce as their local television partner. Will it be one of the NBC-owned and operated regional sports channels or a local broadcast television station?
The NBC regional sports channels have proven to be a bit more stable than those currently now under the banner of the FanDuel Sports Network (save for the one in Chicago that recently closed its doors and gave way to the Chicago Sports Network). With the majority of the upcoming Valkyries schedule being aired locally (and on League Pass), this is a question we are sure the team – which recently crossed the 10,000 threshold in terms of season tickets will want to know.
Sixth Woman – New York Liberty
The Liberty will be on national television on 33 different occasions in 2025. The defending champions (it still feels surreal penning that in regards to the seafoam, black and copper) will be on national television on 33 occasions – the same number as the Aces.
Eight of those will be on NBA TV. Six of those will be via ESPN. Four of those will air via Prime Video. New York will also be on ABC and CBS three times apiece along with a couple of broadcasts on CBS Sports Network.
What intrigues us about the Liberty’s schedule are the 26 games that will air on either Fox 5 or My9 in the Tri-State area.
After all…did anyone remember how large the score bug was from those telecasts? Let us see if said score bug will remain the same – or increase (or decrease) in size.
