WNBA’s media rights deal reportedly grows to more than $3 billion

May 11, 2026

The WNBA has secured transformative media rights deals totaling $3.1 billion over 10 years, marking its 30th season as a standout in sports broadcasting value. This package builds on a foundational 11-year, $2.2 billion agreement from two years ago with Disney/ABC/ESPN and Comcast/NBC/Peacock, expanded by separate pacts with Paramount/CBS, Scripps/Ion, and Versant/USA.

These new agreements represent roughly 6.5 times the annual value of the prior deal, which expired last season, fueled by surging viewership and league momentum. Analysts like Shlomo Sprung of Yahoo Sports hail it as one of the best broadcasting bargains, with the core rights at about $200 million yearly appearing undervalued given growth projections.

The deals include a provision to revisit values after three years, acknowledging rapid expansion, while WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson credits players for driving metrics and calls for their involvement in future negotiations. A separate Canadian deal for the Toronto Tempo expansion with Bell Media falls outside this portfolio. USA Today