–USA Network to Present at Least 50 WNBA Regular-Season and Playoff Games Each Year, As Well As Portions of WNBA Semifinals and Finals in Select Years Beginning in 2026–

–WNBA Schedule on USA Network to Primarily Feature Wednesday Night Doubleheaders–

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 30, 2025 – VERSANT and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced an 11-year media rights agreement for USA Network to present WNBA games – including the regular-season and portions of the Playoffs and WNBA Finals in select years – beginning with the 2026 season.

As part of the multi-year agreement which runs through 2036, USA Network will present at least 50 WNBA games annually, including coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals games in select years beginning in 2026. The new agreement expands the game package that was to be distributed by USA Network under the WNBA’s historic national media deals signed in 2024.

“We’re incredibly proud to expand our multi-year partnership with the WNBA,” said Matt Hong, President of Sports, VERSANT. “USA Network will be a destination for WNBA viewers all season long, as we showcase the star power across the league in our marquee Wednesday night doubleheaders and build toward the intensity of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals.”

“Partnering with VERSANT and USA Network marks another significant milestone for the WNBA’s continued growth,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “As demand for women’s basketball continues to rise, partnerships like this expand the visibility and accessibility of our game. By establishing a weekly primetime destination for fans, this agreement will showcase the excitement of the WNBA to more households than ever before and further elevate the incredible athletes in this league.”

USA Network’s WNBA coverage will be anchored by Wednesday night doubleheaders featuring marquee matchups across the league. Each broadcast night will also include dedicated pre-game and post-game studio programming, establishing USA Network as a weekly destination for WNBA fans.

The complete 2026 WNBA on USA Network programming schedule, including production details and on-air game and studio commentary teams, will be announced in the coming months.

About VERSANT

VERSANT, Comcast Corporation’s (NASDAQ: CMCSA) planned spin-off, will be a leading independent publicly traded media company comprised of most of NBCUniversal’s cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed in early 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions.

About the WNBA

Currently in its 29th season, the WNBA celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it. The league was ranked by Morning Consult as the fastest-growing brand in 2024, and No. 4 on Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025, on its way to setting records for engagement on social and digital platforms, attendance, merchandise sales and unique viewers across its broadcast partners. The WNBA’s commitment to societal impact is supported by the first-of-its-kind WNBA Changemaker Collective, a group of purpose-driven companies that have partnered with the WNBA to enhance the player experience, build the brand of the league and players, inspire innovation and connectivity, increase media coverage and visibility, and help drive the league’s business transformation. Ally, AT&T, CarMax, Deloitte, Google, and Nike are part of the WNBA Changemaker Collective. The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women in sport.

The Women’s National Basketball Association is taking another major step toward cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world. In a groundbreaking media rights deal announced on September 30, 2025, the WNBA and VERSANT revealed an 11-year agreement that will bring at least 50 WNBA regular-season and playoff games per year to USA Network starting with the 2026 season. The deal, which runs through 2036, marks a significant expansion of the league’s broadcast footprint and signals continued investment in women’s basketball at a national level.

Under this new arrangement, USA Network — part of Comcast’s soon-to-be spin-off company VERSANT — will feature Wednesday night WNBA doubleheaders as its programming centerpiece. These primetime broadcasts will include some of the league’s most anticipated matchups, giving fans a consistent, high-profile destination for women’s basketball throughout the season. The deal also includes coverage of select WNBA Playoff games and portions of the WNBA Finals in certain years, further integrating the league into one of America’s most widely distributed cable networks.

For the WNBA, the timing could not be better. The league is currently riding a wave of unprecedented growth. Attendance, TV ratings, merchandise sales, and social media engagement have all reached record highs in 2024 and 2025, driven by stars like A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier, as well as a surge of new fans drawn to the league’s competitive parity and vibrant storytelling. This deal with USA Network expands on the landmark broadcast agreements the WNBA signed in 2024, ensuring broader reach and deeper engagement for years to come.

Matt Hong, President of Sports at VERSANT, emphasized the company’s excitement about becoming a key broadcast partner for the league. “We’re incredibly proud to expand our multi-year partnership with the WNBA,” Hong said in a statement. “USA Network will be a destination for WNBA viewers all season long, as we showcase the star power across the league in our marquee Wednesday night doubleheaders and build toward the intensity of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals.” His remarks reflect the growing recognition among media executives that women’s sports are no longer a niche product but a mainstream entertainment powerhouse.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert echoed that sentiment, framing the agreement as a major milestone in the league’s long-term growth strategy. “Partnering with VERSANT and USA Network marks another significant milestone for the WNBA’s continued growth,” Engelbert said. “As demand for women’s basketball continues to rise, partnerships like this expand the visibility and accessibility of our game.” Engelbert added that the league’s priority is to establish a “weekly primetime destination for fans,” which the Wednesday night doubleheaders aim to achieve. This consistency, she said, will help casual viewers become regular followers, while giving the league’s athletes the national exposure they deserve.

From a media perspective, the WNBA’s move to USA Network is both strategic and symbolic. USA has long been one of the most established cable networks in American television, known for its mix of entertainment and sports programming. Its reach — estimated to cover over 90 million U.S. households — ensures that WNBA games will be accessible to millions of fans who may not currently have access to streaming services or regional sports networks. By aligning with VERSANT, which will manage a diverse portfolio of networks including CNBC, MSNBC, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel, the WNBA is positioning itself within a media ecosystem capable of promoting its players and stories across multiple platforms.

The structure of the new broadcast schedule highlights how far the league has come in building a dedicated media presence. Each Wednesday night doubleheader will include not only two back-to-back games but also pregame and postgame studio coverage, giving fans expanded analysis, highlights, and storytelling around the league. This move mirrors the programming model of major men’s sports leagues, which have long used primetime doubleheaders to build brand identity and fan loyalty. “Having a weekly, predictable national broadcast slot is huge,” said sports media analyst Rachel Nichols. “It means fans know exactly when and where to tune in — and that kind of consistency builds long-term audience growth.”

The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but industry insiders suggest it represents a substantial increase over previous media rights valuations. Combined with the WNBA’s other national broadcast partners — including ABC/ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and CBS Sports Network — this agreement could push the league’s annual media revenue to record levels. Those funds are expected to be reinvested into player compensation, team operations, and marketing, further fueling the league’s upward trajectory.

For the players, the deal is also a validation of their years of advocacy for better visibility and media coverage. WNBA athletes have long pushed for more equitable broadcast opportunities compared to their male counterparts, arguing that exposure directly drives growth. “This is exactly what we’ve been asking for — more eyes, more access, more investment,” said Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier in a recent interview. “When people see our product, they fall in love with it. This partnership will make that possible on a whole new scale.”

The announcement also comes amid broader cultural momentum for women’s sports globally. In 2024 and 2025, women’s basketball has experienced explosive growth, with record-breaking viewership for NCAA tournaments, increased sponsorship deals, and international stars raising the sport’s global profile. The WNBA, celebrating its 29th season, has capitalized on that momentum by rebranding itself as a progressive, inclusive league that blends athletic excellence with social impact. Its Changemaker Collective, which includes brands like Nike, AT&T, Google, Ally, CarMax, and Deloitte, continues to drive corporate engagement and support initiatives focused on player experience, innovation, and visibility.

The creation of VERSANT as an independent media entity also plays a key role in this story. As Comcast Corporation prepares to spin off most of NBCUniversal’s cable assets into VERSANT, the new company aims to focus more heavily on live sports and entertainment. This WNBA deal represents one of VERSANT’s first major post-launch investments, signaling its intention to make women’s sports a central pillar of its programming strategy. The company’s portfolio will allow for cross-promotional opportunities — for instance, featuring WNBA content on MSNBC’s cultural segments or highlighting league stars on E! News.

Looking ahead, USA Network and the WNBA plan to announce the full 2026 broadcast schedule and production team in the coming months. Industry speculation suggests that the network will employ a mix of veteran broadcasters and new voices from within women’s basketball, enhancing the authenticity and energy of the coverage. The broadcasts are also expected to include cutting-edge graphics, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and social media integration designed to appeal to younger fans.

Ultimately, this partnership between the WNBA and USA Network is about more than television rights — it’s about the ongoing transformation of women’s basketball into a cultural and commercial powerhouse. With an 11-year commitment in place, the league now has the stability and visibility to plan for sustained growth, while fans gain unprecedented access to the sport they love. As Commissioner Engelbert noted, “This is not just an investment in games — it’s an investment in the future of women’s sports.”

If the WNBA’s recent trajectory is any indication, that future looks brighter — and more televised — than ever before.