Beyond the Ratings: How the WNBA Is Building a Bigger Business Around Women’s Basketball

By Brandon King | Sneaker Shop Talk The WNBA is no longer simply trying to convince sports fans to watch women’s basketball. The league is increasingly competing for their attention, loyalty and spending power. The conclusion of the 2026 WNBA Finals offered another powerful example. Game 7 between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream averaged 3.3 million viewers across USA Network, CNBC and Peacock. The matchup became the most-watched playoff game in WNBA history and the fourth-most-watched game overall. Even more impressive, the audience was 128% larger than the…

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New York Liberty Part Ways With Chris DeMarco After Just One Season as Head Coach

image via Wikipedia The New York Liberty are making another coaching change. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the Liberty will not retain head coach Chris DeMarco after just one season leading the franchise. The decision comes less than a year after New York hired DeMarco, a longtime Golden State Warriors assistant coach who was part of four NBA championship teams. The move makes the Liberty one of the WNBA’s biggest coaching vacancies heading into the 2027 season. A disappointing ending to the 2026 season DeMarco’s first season in New York…

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WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream Force Game 7 With 80-69 Win Over Golden State Valkyries

TLANTA — The Atlanta Dream refused to let their season end Thursday, defeating the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals to force a winner-take-all Game 7. With their championship hopes on the line, the Dream delivered their best offensive performance in several games, leaning on Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese to even the series at 3-3. Atlanta’s victory also sets up the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. https://www.wnba.com/news/2026-finals-valkyries-dream-game-6-recap⁠ Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard Lead Atlanta’s Response Gray led Atlanta with 23 points,…

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Aliyah Boston to Miss 2027 Unrivaled Season Following Meniscus Surgery

Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston will miss the 2027 Unrivaled season as she continues recovering from surgery to repair her right knee’s lateral meniscus. Unrivaled announced the roster update on Wednesday, October 28, confirming that Boston is expected to return for the 2028 season under her multi-year deal with the league. The decision means the four-time WNBA All-Star will miss the upcoming season of the women’s 3-on-3 league as she focuses on rehabilitation following a procedure earlier this month. Aliyah Boston Underwent Meniscus Surgery in October Boston underwent successful arthroscopic…

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WNBA Finals Game 4 Draws 1.9 Million Viewers on NBC, Peacock

image via Adam Hagy | National Basketball Association | Getty Images The 2026 WNBA Finals continued to deliver strong television audiences, with Game 4 between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries averaging 1.9 million viewers across NBC and Peacock on Saturday, according to the network. The audience total marked a rebound from Game 3, which averaged 1.71 million viewers on USA Network and Peacock. Game 4’s audience also came close to the series-high 2.1 million viewers who watched Game 1 on NBC and Peacock. According to figures shared by…

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Atlanta Dream Say WNBA Ignored Scheduling Concerns as Ownership Speaks Out Over Game 6

The Atlanta Dream are pushing back against the WNBA’s handling of the 2026 WNBA Finals schedule, saying their concerns were raised well before Game 6 was moved to a Thursday afternoon tipoff but did not receive the attention they deserved. The controversy has intensified following a public statement from the Dream’s ownership group, which expressed frustration with the decision to schedule the pivotal Finals matchup for 12:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. “Playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and…

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WNBA Finals Game 6 Sells Out State Farm Arena After 10,000 Tickets Sold in 90 Minutes

The Atlanta Dream will have a packed house for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals after a massive response from fans in Atlanta. More than 10,000 tickets were sold in the first 90 minutes after tickets for Game 6 were released, the Dream announced. The demand quickly translated into a sellout, with Renee Montgomery confirming during the broadcast that State Farm Arena was sold out. The arena, which has a capacity of approximately 17,000, will provide the backdrop for Thursday’s 12:30 p.m. ET tipoff. Atlanta Fans Answer the Call The…

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WNBA Finals Game 6 Moved to State Farm Arena as League Resolves Scheduling Conflict

ATLANTA — The WNBA has reached a resolution on the venue and start time for Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, keeping the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena for Thursday’s potential championship-clinching game against the Golden State Valkyries. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, which seats approximately 17,000 fans. The game was originally scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, but the WNBA announced Monday that the start time would be moved up to accommodate the arena’s schedule. The…

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WNBA Finals Game 6 Could Be Played in 3,500-Seat Arena Amid Relocation Uncertainty

The WNBA Finals are guaranteed to return to Atlanta for Game 6, but the league still faces a major question: Where will the game be played? As of Sunday, October 25, Game 6 remains scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 8 p.m. ET. However, the Atlanta Dream could be forced to host the Golden State Valkyries at Gateway Center Arena, a venue with approximately 3,500 seats, unless the league and other parties reach an agreement to relocate the game. According to reporting by USA TODAY Sports, published through Yahoo Sports,…

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Golden State Valkyries Beat Atlanta Dream 67-62 in Game 4, Tie WNBA Finals at 2-2

The Golden State Valkyries are refusing to go away quietly. Golden State defeated the Atlanta Dream 67-62 in Game 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 24, tying the best-of-seven championship series at two games apiece. After suffering a 26-point defeat in Game 3, the Valkyries responded with a defensive-minded performance and timely baskets to put themselves back in championship contention. Golden State established control early, taking a 42-26 halftime lead. Atlanta made a push after the break, outscoring the Valkyries in both the third and fourth quarters,…

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