Versant Commits to Long-Term Media Deal to Boost WNBA Exposure
Enhancing Women’s basketball Visibility Through Strategic Broadcast Initiatives
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is poised for a major visibility boost as Versant announces an 11-year media partnership starting with the 2026 season. This agreement ensures coverage of no fewer than 50 games each year, including key playoff and finals contests, marking a pivotal advancement in elevating the league’s presence nationwide.
Versant’s Expanding Role in Promoting Women’s Sports
As an independent entity soon separating from Comcast, Versant has intensified its focus on sports broadcasting with a special emphasis on women’s athletics. This new contract builds upon their ongoing collaboration with the WNBA via USA Network, which began in 2024 and features Wednesday night double-headers alongside dedicated pre-game and post-game studio shows.
“USA Network is becoming the go-to destination for WNBA enthusiasts throughout the season,” stated Matt Hong, president of sports at Versant.“We are thrilled to showcase the exceptional talent within this league.”
A Year-round Commitment to Women’s sports Coverage
This extended deal means that for roughly eight months annually-about two-thirds of the year-women’s sports will enjoy steady live broadcasts exclusively on USA Network. This complements Versant’s recent multi-year agreements such as prime-time Wednesday night League One Volleyball matches and an expanded $93 million annual partnership with USGA.
The Surge in WNBA Popularity Driving Media Expansion
Now entering its 29th season,the WNBA has witnessed remarkable growth: television ratings have climbed over 40% compared to five years ago; merchandise sales have more than doubled; average game attendance has hit record levels; and franchise valuations continue their upward trajectory.
“The increasing passion surrounding women’s basketball opens doors that extend our game’s reach,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
The Larger Landscape: Multi-Billion Dollar Media Rights deals Shaping Women’s Sports
this new agreement aligns closely with other landmark contracts inked last year involving Disney, Amazon, and NBCUniversal-part of a collective media rights portfolio valued near $200 million annually.Additionally, networks like scripps’ Ion channel further diversify platforms bringing women’s basketball into homes across America.
Diverse Sports Rights Portfolio Strengthens Versant’s Market Influence
- Broadcast rights for major golf tournaments through Golf Channel
- Coverage of Premier League soccer matches worldwide
- NASCAR race event telecasts reaching millions of fans
- WWE entertainment programming attracting broad audiences
- Atlantic 10 college basketball game broadcasts enhancing collegiate sports exposure
- The Olympic Games distribution rights spanning global markets
This wide-ranging portfolio enables Versant not only to broaden content distribution but also create diverse advertising opportunities targeting multiple fan demographics. CEO Mark Lazarus highlighted that their approach centers on securing partnerships maximizing both audience engagement and commercial returns.
A Look Ahead: Upcoming enhancements in Production Quality and Commentary Teams
the company plans forthcoming announcements detailing expert studio commentary lineups along with innovative production elements designed to enrich viewer experience through insightful analysis tailored specifically for women’s basketball audiences.
A New Milestone in Broadcasting Women’s Professional Sports
This long-term commitment by Versant reflects strong confidence in women’s professional athletics as an essential pillar within mainstream media programming. By delivering consistent high-caliber coverage over more than a decade,it promises enhanced accessibility for fans while supporting sustained growth within one of America’s fastest-expanding leagues.
