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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Nearly 47 Million Fans Watched WNBA Content Last Year 📺
Fans really do love women’s sports. Nielsen, the viewership analytics company, shared that 46.9 million fans watched more than 220 million hours of WNBA content in 2025. That marks a 31% increase in fan growth over the last two seasons. (Nielsen Media)
WHY IT MATTERS: WNBA games are easier to find than ever before, and fans are responding. Back in 2022, 148 WNBA games were available nationally through TV or streaming. This season, that number has grown to 216 regular-season games across major platforms. More exposure brings in more fans. And with new expansion teams, and the league’s massive new media deal, these numbers could grow even higher.
🗳️ Are you watching more WNBA now than you were in 2022?
2. Iowa and UConn Schedule Home-and-Home Series 🏡
Two of the biggest programs in women’s college basketball are officially meeting again. Twice. Iowa and UConn announced a home-and-home series beginning next season, with the Hawkeyes visiting Storrs in 2026 before the Huskies travel to Iowa City the following year. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: These are two of the sport’s most recognizable college programs, and they do not meet regularly because they play in different conferences. That makes this series feel like must-see TV. Fans now have two guaranteed matchups between schools that consistently draw huge audiences and passionate crowds, which should make both games some of the biggest match-ups on the schedule.
3. Congress Introduces New College Sports Bill 🏛️
A bipartisan group of senators introduced the “Protect College Sports Act” yesterday, a new proposal that would reshape several major rules across college athletics, including women’s basketball. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: The earlier SCORE Act lost momentum in Congress, but lawmakers are now trying again with a different proposal. This new bill would limit student-athletes to one transfer, establish a five-year eligibility clock, provide anti-trust protections for the NCAA, and prevent coaches from leaving programs mid-season. There is still a long way to go before anything becomes official, but college sports leaders now have another major proposal on the table that could directly affect roster movement and stability across their sport.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
True Hero: UNCW women’s basketball coach Nicole Woods nearly drowned while rescuing her nephew from a dangerous ocean current. Thankfully, both are safe after a frightening situation.
Week 2 Standouts: Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard and Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum were named the WNBA’s Players of the Week.
Globetrotter: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert shared a goal about the league’s long-term international expansion plans.
