Candace Parker slams women’s sports networks for being ‘buried for too long’

The retired WNBA star spoke candidly about how the league can improve viewership.

candice parker It pointed out a forgotten aspect of the WNBA’s recent surge in viewership.

Parker, 38, sat down for an interview on the Bloomberg Original podcast. Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, It was released on Wednesday, November 6th. During her conversation, the retired WNBA star criticized the network’s previous indifference to the league before its current surge in popularity.

“It was the first time a women’s NCAA game was aired on ABC. Caitlin Clark “We did the championship,” Parker said. “Are you surprised that the ratings went up? Are you surprised that people actually saw the product? It’s been buried on ESPN for too long.”

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The WNBA recorded its highest viewership rating ever this season thanks to the emergence of the 22-year-old Clark and other high-profile rookies. angel lis and Cameron Brink. The 2024 season was the most-viewed season in league history, growing 170% from 2023, the organization announced Oct. 25.

There were 32 WNBA broadcasts this season that averaged more than 1 million viewers each, and the league’s Oct. 25 release showed 22 of them were broadcast on ESPN platforms.

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But even when Clark, Reese and Brink weren’t playing — Brink sat out most of the following season. Torn ACL June — The league received more eyes than the previous year. The 2024 Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty was the most-watched championship round in 25 years, up 115% from last year.

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Parker also noted that the WNBA could do more to better position its broadcasts to see high viewership ratings. That means working around the schedules of other leagues. “The NBA doesn’t want a conflict with the NFL playoffs or NFL opening week. So why would we have the WNBA? I don’t care if that’s the time they give you. Fight for another game or find something else. .” she said on the podcast.

WNBA legend Parker, announced retirement She is the first WNBA player to win three championships with three different teams. She won her first ring with the Sparks in 2016. She then went to her hometown of Chicago, where she led the Chicago Sky to a championship in 2021 and joined the Las Vegas Aces to win the 2023 championship.