NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
December 18, 2018: When the WNBA begins its 23rd season on May 24, it will come with expanded coverage from ESPN’s networks, with nationally televised games including ABC and ESPN, plus an extensive schedule on ESPN2.
The ESPN networks’ slate of 16 regular-season telecasts — which will include three games on ABC, two on ESPN and 11 on ESPN2 — is up from 13 a year ago, when each of those telecasts was on ESPN2.
In addition, the WNBA All-Star Game will air on ABC on July 27 from Las Vegas and up to 19 post-season games. All ESPN telecasts will also stream live on the ESPN app.
The WNBA Draft 2019 presented by State Farm in April also will air on ESPN networks.
The WNBA will have two games on May 24, three on May 25 and one on May 26 during its 2019 opening weekend.
Live national TV coverage of the 2019 begins on ABC on May 25, when Sue Bird, reigning MVP Breanna Stewart and the defending champion Seattle Storm host Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury.
“We’re excited that ESPN will feature expanded coverage of WNBA games in the 2019 season,” Mark Tatum interim WNBA president, said via the league.
“The enhanced schedule reflects ESPN’s commitment to the WNBA and gives our fans additional opportunities on ESPN networks to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level.”
The WNBA is currently searching for a new president following the departure of Lisa Borders in October. She is now president and CEO for Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund.
Seattle, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Sparks will each appear on ESPN’s networks five times.
The four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun will appear four times apiece.
According to Carol Stiff, ESPN vp-programming and acquisitions, “ESPN is thrilled to once again bring fans a stellar lineup of WNBA action.
“We are committed to showcasing the sport and its stars with more marquee matchups than ever before available on ABC and ESPN.”
Borders Leaves WNBA To Become Time’s Up CEO
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