The 2024 WNBA Finals commenced on Thursday night, featuring an exhilarating Game 1 between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty. These two powerhouse teams delivered an instant classic, with Napheesa Collier leading the Lynx to a narrow 95-93 victory in overtime against Sabrina Ionescu and the Liberty. However, despite the thrilling action, the viewership numbers for this championship opener fell short of expectations, primarily due to its scheduling.
Game 1 started at 8 p.m. ET, just 15 minutes before the kickoff of a highly anticipated Thursday Night Football clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. The WNBA’s decision to schedule Game 2 at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday further exacerbates concerns, as it coincides with the NFL’s bustling Week 6 lineup. Critics have voiced their dissatisfaction over these timing choices, especially veteran sports commentator Bill Simmons, who lamented the missed opportunity to maximize viewership during this peak moment in women’s basketball.
Simmons criticized the WNBA for failing to take advantage of what he termed the “Caitlin Boom.” As the top overall pick and Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark has shattered viewership records throughout her inaugural season with the Indiana Fever, sparking unprecedented excitement for the league. “The WNBA had this amazing moment this season to get as many eyeballs as possible on their most important games, yet they adhered to a scheduling model from 15 years ago,” Simmons remarked. “I genuinely wanted to watch those games, but there’s no way I’m tuning in over football on a Sunday.”
The scheduling decisions have sparked a dialogue about the WNBA’s potential to reach mainstream audiences. Simmons emphasized that the league has a chance to significantly elevate its visibility by strategically placing marquee matchups on Friday nights or Wednesday evenings, avoiding direct competition with the NFL. “You have a chance to catapult this league into the limelight, but it won’t happen if you’re continually going up against the NFL,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Game 3 of the WNBA Finals will be the first contest without any NFL competition, set to tip off at 8 p.m. ET this coming Wednesday. As the WNBA seeks to capitalize on the momentum generated by stars like Caitlin Clark, the outcome of these scheduling choices may have far-reaching implications for the league’s future growth and viewership.
