3 million viewers on cable television in the first weekend

MEDLEY, Fla. – More than 3 million viewers watched the opening weekend of Unrivaled Women’s Basketball on cable television, TNT Sports announced Thursday, as the new league enters its second week.

The number – of games broadcast on TNT and TruTV – is an early and positive sign that the fast-paced, full-court, 3-on-3 games developed by and with WNBA players are resonating with fans and viewers.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to who has seen any of the games says it’s so much fun to watch. So just give it a chance and take a look at it,” Kate Martin told USA TODAY Sports. Martin played with Caitlin Clark at Iowa’s Las Vegas Aces last year and will play for the WNBA expansion team Golden State Valkyries next season.

“I just think it’s super cool because it’s not just about basketball, it’s about what this whole league does for women’s sports in general. So it’s bigger than just basketball.”

Unrivaled – co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier – attracted other WNBA stars by promising higher salaries and team ownership without having to play overseas outside of the WNBA season.

While Clark and reigning WNBA MVP Aja Wilson are out of the league, other stars like Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu and Angel Reese have gotten involved in the new venture, which has created a buzz among fans on social media.

The league has converted a production warehouse about seven miles from Miami International Airport into a basketball facility and showcase arena where up to 850 fans can catch the action for nine weeks.

“It definitely feels very intimate. I think all fans should definitely come and see it,” said WNBA star Brittney Griner. “You’re a fan, you’re not a fan. Honestly I think you could become a fan because it’s different than 5 on 5. The action is always happening. There is always a big play taking place at one end of the floor.

“I think the interaction with the fans was great. And all the social media stuff they do too. A lot of content is published every day. And that’s good for us. … It’s just a matter of pushing each pillar forward the way we want to.”

Unrivaled’s format for the fourth quarter, in which teams must achieve the desired winning score, i.e. 11 points more than the leading team’s score after the third quarter, also seems to have resonated with fans.

Also known as the Elam Ending, every Unrivaled game ends with a winning bucket.

The format quickly became popular in the league’s first game when Skyler Diggins-Smith hit a game-winning three-pointer to help the Lunar Owls beat Stewart and the Mist.

The Lunar Owls closed the fourth quarter with a 17-7 run after trailing by as many as 10 points, marking the only comeback win of the opening weekend.

Teams that had a lead in each of the five other games played were able to secure victories. In the league’s first six games, there were three games decided by nine points or fewer, one win by 20 points and one loss by 38 points.

“We were ahead at the start of the fourth quarter, we stepped up our game and didn’t do enough. It’s a different position,” Courtney Vandersloot, a WNBA free agent who won her second title last season with the New York Liberty, said of the crappy loss.

“I think it was a learning thing for us. But I think everyone is still trying to figure out what they’re good at and how they can win.”

Players and coaches said Thursday they had recovered from the hype and uncertainty of opening weekend and were now immersed in the hustle and bustle of the season, which ends March 17.

The Laces, Lunar Owls and Vinyl are 2-0, while the Mist, Phantom and Rose are 0-2 after the first weekend.

Unrivaled returns for its second week on Friday, Saturday and Monday with games shown on TNT, TruTV and Max.

“I thought the opening weekend was incredible and very competitive. The players were definitely interested and it was great to see the engagement from the fans,” said Stewart.

“Just to see their relationships between the W fans, but coming here now is a hot ticket and I think everyone really wants to come. I think the fact that it’s a player-run league, everyone is trying to lift each other up and make sure we get better on and off the field.”

3 million viewers on cable television in the first weekend

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

Related Post

Ted Dibiase explains why traveling with the million dollar title was “a real annoyance”

HBK Superkicks Kevin Owens, Ted Dibiase, Alundra Blayze and more WWE legends on SNME

Lauren Boebert calls the security service for a non -existent “type” in the women’s toilet

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You missed

Ted Dibiase explains why traveling with the million dollar title was “a real annoyance”

HBK Superkicks Kevin Owens, Ted Dibiase, Alundra Blayze and more WWE legends on SNME

Lauren Boebert calls the security service for a non -existent “type” in the women’s toilet

Chloe Kim wins the 8. X game -Snowboard -Halfpipe title, Breaks Record