Amazon Prime Video and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) have announced a multi-year rights extension, continuing the partnership that began in 2021. Prime Video will remain as the exclusive national streaming partner for 21 WNBA games each year, one of which includes the Championship Game within the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. The past edition of the Commissioner’s Cup between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty garnered the largest audience for a WNBA game ever recorded for Prime Video, nearly double the size of the 2022 iteration. Prime Video had the rights to 20 WNBA games in its last deal with the league.
“We’re thrilled to continue bringing exclusive national coverage of the WNBA and highlighting these exceptional athletes to Prime members,” Charlie Neiman, head of sports partnerships for Prime Video, said in a statement. “Following a successful 2023 season, we’re looking forward to reaching even more milestones with the WNBA and furthering our commitment to women’s sports.”
The WNBA currently has media rights agreements with The Walt Disney Company (ESPN), the E.W. Scripps Company (ION) and Paramount Global (CBS). It is reportedly seeking a new media deal as additional talent is set to enter the league, including Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark. Perennial all-stars and champions such as Candace Parker, Sabrina Ionescu and Alyssa Thomas currently play in the league and have helped drive viewership growth.
“We are incredibly pleased that Prime Video is making a meaningful and continued commitment to the WNBA and will once again provide a great platform to showcase the world-class athletes for our league across the regular season and particularly with its streaming of the Championship Game of the new, streamlined Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase,” Colie Edison, chief growth officer for the WNBA, said in a statement.
Consumers will be able to watch the WNBA on Prime Video through a variety of platforms worldwide, including compatible devices, web streaming or through the Prime Video app. The OTT streaming provider also has a local deal with the Seattle Storm that provides subscribers in the Washington area access to watch games.
