MEDLEY, Fla. – More than 3 million viewers were tuned into the opening weekend of women’s basketball unmatched on cable television, TNT Sports announced Thursday As the new league enters its second week.
The figure – games broadcast on TNT and TRUTV – is an early and positive sign, fast-paced, 3-on-3 running games created by and featuring WNBA players are resonating with fans and viewers.
“Everyone I’ve talked to who’s watched one of the games has said it’s so fun to watch. So give it a chance, watch it,” Kate Martin Tell USA TODAY Sports. Martin played with Caitlin Clark has IowaTHE Ace of Las Vegas last year, and will play for WNBA expansion team Golden State Valkyries Next season.
“I think it’s just super cool because it’s not just about basketball, but it’s about what this whole league is doing for women’s sports in general. And so, it’s bigger than basketball. “
Unparalleled – co-founded by Breanna Stewart And Napheesa Collier -Lured fellow WNBA players by promising higher salaries and team equity, without the need to play overseas outside of the WNBA season.
While Clark and the reigning WNBA MVP Aja Wilson are not in the league, other stars like Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu And Angel Reese have launched the new business which has created a buzz among fans on social media.
The league has equipped a production warehouse about seven miles from Miami International Airport into a basketball facility with a glass-enclosed arena where up to 850 fans can experience the action for a nine-week season.
“It’s really, really intimate. Definitely something I think all fans should come out and see,” said WNBA star Brittney Griner. “You’re a fan, you’re not a fan. I think you might become a fan, honestly, because it’s different than 5 on 5. The action still happens. There is always a big play on one end of the floor.
“I think the fan interaction has been great. And all the social media stuff they do too. There is a lot of content coming out every day. And that’s good for us. … It’s just pushing each pillar the way we want. »
Invalided’s fourth quarter format – where teams must achieve the target win score, 11 points higher than the leading team’s score after the third quarter – also appears to have resonated with fans as well.
Otherwise known as the Elam ending, every unmatched match will end with a game-winning bucket.
The format was quickly highlighted in the league opener when Skyler Diggins Smith brand a winning three pointshelping the Moon Owls beat Stewart and the Mist.
The Lunar Owls closed the fourth quarter on a 17-7 run, after trailing by as many as 10 points, in the only comeback victory of the opening weekend.
Teams with leads in the other five matches played were able to achieve victories. There were three games decided by nine points or fewer, a 20-point victory and a 38-point blowout among the league’s first six games.
“We were up in the fourth quarter, and we tightened up and we didn’t execute enough. It’s a different position to be in,” Courtney Vandersloota WNBA free agent who won her second title with the New York Liberty Last season said about mist loss.
“So I think it was a learning thing for us. But I think everyone is still trying to figure out what they are good at and how they can win. “
Players and coaches said Thursday that they had settled down from the hype and unknowns of opening weekend and entered the grind of the season, which ends March 17.
Laces, Moon Owls and Vinyl are 2-0, While the Mist, Phantom and Rose are 0-2 after the first weekend.
An unrivaled return to action for its second week on Friday, Saturday and Monday with games shown on TNT, TRUTV and Max.
“I thought the opening weekend was amazing, very competitive. The players were definitely getting after it, and it was great to have the fan engagement,” Stewart said.
“Just to see their relationships between being fans, but now coming here, it’s a hot ticket to have, and I think everyone really wants to come. I think the fact that it’s a player-driven league, everyone’s trying to pick each other up and do it, so we’re getting better on and off the field. “
This article originally appeared on USA Today: Unrivaled audience: 3 million viewers on cable TV in first weekend
