Show summary Hide summary
USA Network is about to transform women’s basketball coverage forever. Starting May 10, 2026, the network launches its historic broadcasting partnership with the WNBA. Over 50 games await fans across the season, plus an all-star commentary team ready to elevate the league.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Launch Date: May 10, 2026 with Las Vegas vs. Los Angeles at 6 p.m. ET
- Game Count: Over 50 regular-season and playoff games throughout the year
- Schedule Pattern: 28 Wednesday games and 11 Monday night matchups anchoring the slate
- Partnership Length: An 11-year deal with VERSANT Media through 2036
Historic Partnership Brings Women’s Basketball to Prime Time
USA Network’s entry into WNBA coverage marks a watershed moment for women’s sports broadcasting. The 11-year agreement signals serious financial commitment from the network, positioning women’s basketball alongside major sports franchises. This partnership offers unprecedented visibility during peak viewing hours, with games predominantly scheduled on Wednesday and Monday nights, ensuring consistent appointment viewing for fans coast to coast.
The network’s decision to prioritize featured matchups rather than streaming-only content demonstrates broadcaster confidence in the WNBA’s growing audience appeal. By selecting 50-plus games for national broadcast, USA Network acknowledges the league’s rising popularity and commercial viability in professional sports.
USA Network begins broadcasting over 50 WNBA games starting May 10
Desert Warrior earns just $596K domestically after opening weekend
Star-Studded Broadcast Team Ready to Elevate Coverage
USA Network assembled a powerhouse commentary lineup featuring Elle Duncan as anchor and Tamika Catchings alongside Sarah Kustok in the broadcast booth. The team includes legendary analyst Chamique Holdsclaw, play-by-play commentator Kate Scott, and studio analyst Renee Montgomery. Current WNBA player Sophie Cunningham brings authentic insider perspective, while veteran sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby rounds out the roster.
This ensemble brings championship experience, analytical depth, and authentic voices committed to elevating women’s basketball. Foster-Brasby emphasized the importance of working with professionals dedicated to advancing the sport’s coverage. The diverse expertise ensures viewers receive comprehensive game analysis and storyline context throughout the season.
Schedule Breakdown and Game Distribution
The 2026 schedule launches with Las Vegas hosting Los Angeles on Sunday, May 10 at 6 p.m. ET, setting the tone for months of compelling matchups. Wednesday nights feature 28 games branded as “WNBA Wednesdays,” providing consistent weekly programming that builds fan anticipation. Monday night slots include 11 additional games, diversifying the broadcast calendar and capturing different audience segments.
| Broadcast Element | Details |
| Weekly Pattern | Wednesday and Monday night games anchoring schedule |
| Wednesday Games | 28 matchups throughout season |
| Monday Games | 11 matchups throughout season |
| Tipoff Times | Evening broadcasts from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET |
“People that really wanna elevate the sport, people that really wanna learn and know. I think that that was something that was important to me, to be with a group of people who understand some of where we’re trying to go in the W, in terms of coverage.”
— Terrika Foster-Brasby, Sideline Reporter and WNBA Analyst
Featuring the League’s Biggest Marquee Matchups
USA Network’s curated slate prioritizes championship contenders and star-driven rivalries that captivate national audiences. Early-season games pit perennial powers like Las Vegas, Seattle, Phoenix, and Chicago against rising competition from Indiana, New York, and Los Angeles. These carefully selected matchups ensure fans witness elite talent, playoff intensity, and storylines that extend beyond single games.
The schedule intentionally builds narrative arcs across the season, with significant tournaments and rivalry weeks receiving prime-time treatment. By selecting 50-plus games, USA Network captures playoff basketball in September, providing closure to compelling regular-season narratives and setting stakes for the championship rounds
What Makes USA Network’s WNBA Investment a Game Changer?
This broadcasting deal transforms how sports networks value women’s leagues. The 11-year commitment demonstrates investor confidence extending well into the 2030s, providing stability and growth opportunities for the entire organization. Unlike one-year partnerships or secondary broadcast channels, USA Network positions WNBA games in prime time alongside flagship sports programming, signaling institutional support for women athletes.
The partnership also reflects shifting viewer demographics and advertiser demand. Networks increasingly recognize that women’s sports attract dedicated, high-engagement audiences willing to watch compelling athletic competition. By securing WNBA rights through 2036, USA Network invests in a league poised for sustained growth, talent expansion, and global recognition as professional women’s basketball continues gaining cultural prominence.
