The WNBA’s Indiana Fever and WTHR, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, announced Thursday a multi-year extension of their local broadcast partnership, aiming to bring more WNBA basketball to fans across central Indiana.
Under the renewed agreement, WTHR and WALV, TEGNA’s MeTV affiliate, will air 18 Fever games locally this season. The increased coverage builds on last year’s success, when WTHR’s broadcasts drove a 63% jump in household ratings compared to nationally televised games. According to the stations, local broadcasts reached nearly two-thirds more households than the national games, expanding the team’s visibility beyond its core audience.
“With our team’s powerful roster of veteran talent and young stars, we’re positioned to have an unforgettable season, and we look forward to having more fans follow our journey,” said Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines. “WTHR and TEGNA continue to be incredible partners, and together, we’re going to deliver more exciting, fast-paced Fever basketball to households in the Indianapolis region than ever before.”
The Fever’s strong momentum comes as the team prepares for a season in which 41 of its 44 games will be broadcast nationally—a franchise record and the highest number of national games ever for a single WNBA team.
The expanded local coverage complements this national visibility, reinforcing TEGNA’s commitment to delivering premium sports content to its viewers.
“We’re thrilled to continue growing our outstanding partnership with the Indiana Fever and the WNBA,” said Brad Ramsey, senior vice president of media operations at TEGNA. “As we expand our partnerships across sports leagues to offer fans unparalleled access to their favorite teams, we’re excited to collaborate with Pacers Sports & Entertainment to boost enthusiasm and viewership for the Indiana Fever.”
Michael Brouder, president and general manager of WTHR, echoed the enthusiasm, emphasizing the station’s local impact.
“As Indiana’s News Leader, WTHR is excited to work with the Indiana Fever to bring the hottest ticket in town to millions of fans across the region,” Brouder said. “We’re proud of our partnership, and the strength we have as a local broadcaster to amplify passion for our hometown team.”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
