The wait is finally over. After 8,660 days away from primetime television, the WNBA is reclaiming its place on NBC this Sunday, May 17, marking one of the most significant moments in women’s professional sports history. The league’s return arrives not as a tentative experiment but as part of a comprehensive broadcasting agreement that positions women’s basketball for unprecedented mainstream exposure.
Breaking a 24-year silence
The last WNBA game to air on NBC occurred on August 31, 2002, when the Los Angeles Sparks swept the New York Liberty in the Finals. More than two decades have passed since that broadcast, a gap that reflects both the challenges women’s professional sports have faced in gaining media coverage and the dramatic evolution of the WNBA itself. The league that struggled for mainstream attention in the early 2000s has transformed into a destination for elite basketball talent and passionate fan engagement.
This return signals something profound about how American sports culture is shifting. The WNBA did not secure this prime real estate through charity or goodwill. The league earned this opportunity through sustained growth, with younger players like Caitlin Clark attracting college basketball viewership numbers that rival men’s games and establishing themselves as marketable stars capable of driving national interest.
What has changed since 2002
The WNBA of 2026 bears little resemblance to the league that last appeared on NBC. Player salaries have increased dramatically, with the league’s top talents now earning compensation that reflects their market value. The talent level has reached heights that make WNBA basketball genuinely compelling for serious sports fans rather than niche audiences.
The media landscape itself has transformed entirely. Peacock and streaming platforms provide options that did not exist in 2002. The league now reaches audiences through multiple channels simultaneously, from traditional broadcast television to digital streaming to highlight sharing across social media platforms. This multiplatform approach ensures that fans can access WNBA content through whatever distribution method they prefer.
Why this moment matters
Women’s sports have benefited from increased investment and attention in recent years, yet broadcasting visibility remains one of the most significant barriers to growth. Television exposure drives sponsorship dollars, which increase player compensation, which attracts more elite talent, which creates better product that justifies increased coverage. Breaking into primetime on a major network represents a crucial step in breaking this cycle.
The WNBA’s return to NBC also carries symbolic weight. It announces to American audiences that women’s professional basketball is worthy of the same mainstream attention and prime real estate reserved for men’s sports. Networks do not commit to broadcasting properties they believe will fail to attract viewers. NBC’s commitment represents a significant bet that women’s basketball can compete for audience attention.
The broadcast team assembled
NBC Sports has committed substantial resources to making these broadcasts excellent. The presence of Hall of Famers Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller as analysts brings credibility and expertise that elevates the entire broadcast. Bird’s 19 years with the Seattle Storm and four championships position her as an authoritative voice on the modern game. Miller’s legendary college career and multiple coaching stops give her perspective on basketball development and strategy.
These broadcasting decisions signal that NBC views the WNBA not as secondary programming requiring second tier talent but as premium content deserving investment in excellence. The network’s commitment to quality broadcast teams directly reflects confidence in the product and the audience’s sophistication.
Looking forward
This Sunday’s doubleheader represents the beginning of what could be a transformative period for women’s basketball. The WNBA’s return to NBC opens a pathway toward sustained mainstream visibility that the league has pursued since its inception. For the first time since 2002, millions of casual sports fans will encounter WNBA basketball without seeking it out, creating opportunities for new audiences to develop appreciation for the league’s talent and competitive excellence.
Source: Based on NBC Sports official WNBA broadcast announcement, May 13, 2026.