NEW YORK (AP) – Coming off one of the most successful seasons in WNBA history on and off the court, the league has found ways to try to bring in new fans.
Whether streaming games on Twitter, partnering with FanDuel to offer daily fantasy sports or just having more games on television, the WNBA is growing.
“I think the WNBA is doing a great job using multiple platforms to broaden their audience,” ESPN broadcaster Rebecca Lobo said. “I see firsthand how my own kids consume sports, and streaming is the primary option for them. My oldest daughter had her own WNBA Live Access account last year because she wanted to watch different games than what I was watching via my app. It’s a different world than the one I grew up in watching sports and I’m glad the WNBA understands that and markets to it.”
This year’s changes come after the WNBA had its highest attendance in five seasons, record marks for WNBA digital, social media and retail and double-digit growth in television viewership on ESPN.
Here is a look at a few initiatives that the WNBA has undertaken heading into its 21st season.