Full Breakdown
WNBA Regular Season Viewership Surges Despite Caitlin Clark's Absence
9/16/2025, 2:04:31 PM
Record-Breaking Viewership Figures
The 2025 WNBA regular season achieved its highest average viewership since 1998, averaging 969,000 viewers across primary networks including ABC, ESPN, CBS, and ION. This marks a 3% increase from the previous year, despite the absence of star player Caitlin Clark, who missed over 70% of the season due to injury. Nielsen's new "Big Data + Panel" measurement, which combines traditional panel data with smart TV and set-top box information, contributed to this increase, although comparisons to last year are based on panel-only data.
Impact of Caitlin Clark's Injury
Caitlin Clark, a significant draw for the league, played only 13 of the Indiana Fever's 45 games this season. Her absence notably affected viewership on ION, where the Fever's games averaged 954,000 viewers without her, compared to 1.19 million when she played in 2024. Despite this, the Fever managed to clinch a playoff spot, demonstrating resilience even without their star player.
Network-Specific Performance
The viewership across networks varied. ESPN and ABC averaged 1.3 million viewers for 25 games, a 6% increase from last season. CBS also saw a significant rise, averaging 1.28 million viewers, while ION experienced a 6% decline, averaging 627,000 viewers. Notably, the most-watched game of the season featured Clark, drawing 2.7 million viewers, highlighting her impact on the league's ratings.
Veronica Burton's Historic Achievement
In a season marked by injuries, Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was named the 2025 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player. Burton received 68 of 72 votes, showcasing her significant improvement from the previous season, where she averaged just 3.1 points. This year, she averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, becoming the first player in WNBA history to increase her averages by at least five points, two rebounds, and two assists from one season to the next.
Broader Implications for the League
Despite the challenges posed by injuries to key players like Clark and Angel Reese, the WNBA has demonstrated growth in viewership and attendance. The league set a single-season attendance record, drawing over 2.5 million fans across 226 games. This growth suggests a solid foundation for the league, independent of individual stars, which may be crucial as negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement approach.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While overall viewership increased, the impact of Clark's absence remains a point of contention. Some reports suggest her injury significantly affected ratings, particularly for games she did not play in, while others indicate that the league's growth is sustainable beyond individual players.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Despite the league’s biggest television draw, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, missing large portions of the season due to injury, the WNBA still beat out its record-setting 2024 season in television viewership.” — Austin Karp, Sports Business Journal
- “Burton became the first player in WNBA history to increase her averages by at least five points, two rebounds and two assists per game from one season to the next season with at least 30 games in both seasons.” — WNBA Official Statement
- “The favorable viewership figures without Clark should also bode well for the players as they enter into key negotiations with the league this offseason for a new collective bargaining agreement.” — Sports Media Watch
The 2025 WNBA season illustrates the league's resilience and potential for growth, even amidst the challenges posed by injuries to its marquee players.
