The following is a list of the television networks and announcers that have broadcast the WNBA Finals.
2020s YearNetworkGamesPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)Studio hostStudio analyst(s) 2025ESPN 1, 3–4 Ryan Ruocco Rebecca Lobo Holly Rowe (Games 1, 3–4)Brooke Weisbrod (Game 2) Elle Duncan Andraya Carter and Chiney OgwumikeABC 2 2024ESPN 1, 3–5 LaChina Robinson (Games 1, 3–5)Elle Duncan (Game 2) Andraya Carter, Carolyn Peck and Chiney OgwumikeABC 2 2023ABC 1, 3 Holly Rowe and Andraya Carter LaChina Robinson Carolyn Peck and Chiney OgwumikeESPN 2, 4 2022ABC 1 Carolyn PeckESPN 2–4 2021ABC 1 Holly Rowe and Rosalyn Gold-Onwude Sue Bird and Carolyn PeckESPN 2, 4ESPN2 3 2020ESPN2 1 Holly Rowe Swin Cash (Game 1–2)ABC 2ESPN 3
2010s YearNetworkGamesPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)Studio hostStudio analyst(s) 2019ESPN 1–2 Ryan Ruocco Rebecca Lobo Holly Rowe and LaChina Robinson N/AABC 3ESPN2 4–5 2018ESPNNEWS 1 Holly Rowe (Game 2–3)LaChina Robinson (Game 1) N/AABC 2ESPN2 3 2017ABC 1 Holly Rowe (Game 1–2, 4–5)LaChina Robinson (Game 3) N/AESPN 4–5ESPN2 2–3 2016ABC 1 Holly Rowe (Game 2, 4–5)LaChina Robinson (Game 1, 3) N/A LaChina RobinsonESPN 4ESPN2 2–3, 5 2015ABC 1 Holly Rowe N/A Carolyn PeckESPN 4ESPN2 2–3, 5 2014ABC 1 N/AESPN 2ESPN2 3 2013ESPN 1 Randy ScottESPN2 2–3 2012ESPN2 1, 3 and 4 Pam Ward (Game 1)Terry Gannon (Game 2–4) Cindy BrunsonESPN 2 2011ESPN 1 Pam Ward Holly RoweESPN2 2–3Terry Gannon Heather Cox 2010ABC 1 Carolyn Peck Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo Doris BurkeESPN2 2, 3
Notes Game 1 of the 2016 WNBA Finals was broadcast on ABC and had 0.5 overnight rating (597,000 viewers), which was the best since 2010. The 5 game 2016 Finals broadcast on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 averaged a 0.3 rating and 487,000 viewers. Average viewership in 2016 was 224,000 viewers.
Game one of the 2015 WNBA Finals telecast on ABC, drew 571,000 viewers, up from 558,000 for game 1 in 2014. Game three of the finals drew 432,000 viewers, and game five drew 583,000, both on ESPN2.
The 2014 WNBA Finals averaged 659,000 viewers across the ESPN channels, up 91% from the 2013 finals between the Minnesota Lynx and the Atlanta Dream which averaged 345,000. Overall, the 2014 playoffs averaged a 0.3 rating and 489,000 viewers on the ESPN networks, up from 0.2 and 272,000 in 2013.
The 2013 WNBA Finals games averaged 344,000 viewers.
Game 2 of the 2012 WNBA Finals between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx was broadcast on ESPN (games 1,3 and 4 were on ESPN2) and received 778,000 viewers and a .6 household rating. This was the highest rated WNBA broadcast on ESPN since a 1999 Western Conference Finals game between the Houston Comets and Los Angeles Sparks received 1,052,000 viewers and a 1.1 household rating. The average viewership for the 4 finals games in 2012 was 477,000.
2000s YearNetworkGamesPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)Studio hostStudio analyst(s)2009ESPN2AllTerry GannonCarolyn PeckHeather Cox and Rebecca LoboPam WardNancy Lieberman2008Doris BurkeHeather Cox and Holly RoweNancy Lieberman and Carolyn Peck 2007ESPN2 1, 3–5 Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo Linda CohnESPN 22006ESPN2 AllDave PaschHeather Cox and Stephanie ReadyNancy Lieberman and Becky Hammon 2005 1–2, 4 Terry Gannon Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo Pam Ward Nancy Lieberman and Geno AuriemmaABC 32004ESPN2 AllAnn Meyers and Greg AnthonyDoris Burke and Heather Cox 2003ESPN2 1, 3 Mark Jones Ann Meyers Doris Burke Michele Tafoya Nancy LiebermanABC 2 2002NBC 2Paul SunderlandChris Wragge and Andrea JoyceHannah Storm NoneESPN2 1Michele TafoyaDoris Burke N/AJohn SaundersNancy Lieberman 2001NBC 2Mike BreenAnn MeyersAndrea JoyceHannah StormESPN 1Michele TafoyaDoris Burke N/A2000NBC 2Tom HammondAnn MeyersAndrea JoyceHannah Storm NoneLifetime 1Michele TafoyaReggie MillerFran HarrisPersefone Contos
Notes The 2009 WNBA Finals between the Mercury and Fever had the highest average ratings (548,000 viewers), since average finals ratings began being recorded in 2007.
ESPN returned to the fold in the year 2001, broadcasting the first game with NBC airing the second and decisive game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Charlotte Sting. For NBC's final year of coverage in 2002, ESPN2 this time, broadcast the first game with NBC again covering what would become the second and ultimately decisive game. The Los Angeles Sparks' 69–66 victory over the New York Liberty on August 31, 2002, would therefore, prove to be the final broadcast of the WNBA on NBC. The league would soon thereafter, transfer the television rights to ABC/ESPN.
1990s YearNetworkGamesPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)Studio hostStudio analyst(s) 1999Lifetime1Michele TafoyaReggie Miller and Fran HarrisMary MurphyMaura DriscollNoneNBC2–3Mike BreenAnn MeyersLisa MaloskyHannah Storm and Ahmad Rashad 19982Tom HammondHannah StormAnn MeyersESPN1, 3Robin RobertsGeno Auriemma N/A1997NBC1Hannah StormAnn Meyers
Notes The first WNBA season in 1997 concluded with what was at the time, a single championship game. The following year, the finale series into a best-of-three games series, with NBC airing the first two games and ESPN airing the decisive third game. In 1999, ESPN aired the first game of the championship series while NBC covered the following two. Come the year 2000, Lifetime temporarily assumed ESPN's role as the WNBA's cable outlet for the WNBA Championship. Like the year prior, Lifetime broadcast the first game while NBC covered the second and ultimately decisive game between the Houston Comets and New York Liberty. This marked Houston's fourth consecutive WNBA Championship.
See also WNBA on ESPN WNBA on ABC NBA on NBC NBA on ABC NBA on ESPN
References
External links Sports Media Watch: WNBA Episode List: WNBA Finals at TV Tango