While the WNBA’s best showed off their moves at WNBA All-Star 2024, the league also was making a number of big over the past week. Here’s the latest on the WNBA’s next media rights deals and other, new possibilities and partnerships:
Should the WNBA have secured a more lucrative media rights deal?
As part of the NBA’s recent negotiations for it’s 11-year, approximately $75 billion media rights deals with Disney, NBC and Amazon, the WNBA has secured a new national media rights package worth $2.2 billion across 11 years with the three companies, allowing the league to earn approximately $200 million per year beginning with the 2026 season.
The WNBA’s current deals with Disney, Amazon, CBS and ION are worth around $50 million annually and will expire after the 2025 season. The next package could be expanded to include additional partners. According to The Athletic, the league expects to sell two more rights deals, which could result in around $60 million more annually. The prospect of the league bringing in approximately $260 million in rights fees per year far exceeds WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s stated desire to double to annual value of the current deal.
However, the WNBPA is, rightfully, not simply satisfied with the announced new deals, desiring to ensure that they appropriately and fully value the WNBA. Terri Jackson, Executive Director of the WNBPA, asserted:
We have wondered for months how the NBA would value the WNBA in its media rights deal. With a reportedly $75 billion deal on the table, the league is in control of its own destiny. More precisely, the NBA controls the destiny of the WNBA. We look forward to learning how the NBA arrived at a $200 million valuation—if initial reports are accurate or even close. Neither the NBA nor the WNBA can deny that in the last few years, we have seen unprecedented growth across all metrics, the players continue to demonstrate their commitment to building the brand, and that the fans keep showing up. There is no excuse to undervalue the WNBA again.
Statement from WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson on reported new TV deal – $2.2 billion over 11 years (The Athletic first)
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