The WNBA is taking a big step towards aligning its championship series format with other major sports leagues. The league announced on Thursday that next year’s Finals will be a best-of-seven series, marking a departure from the current best-of-five format. This change will create a more extended and dramatic championship series, bringing it in line with the expectations of fans accustomed to longer playoff battles.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, speaking before Game 1 of the Finals, stated that the shift to a best-of-seven format will offer fans a championship experience more familiar to other sports. The league is also adjusting its first round to ensure that lower-seeded teams have a home game advantage. The higher-seeded team will now host Game 1 and Game 3 if necessary, whereas previously, the higher-seeded team hosted the first two games. This change addresses the concerns of teams who felt they didn’t have a fair shot at home advantage in the first round, as demonstrated by this year’s playoffs where all four first-round series resulted in sweeps.
Engelbert highlighted the league’s commitment to enhancing the player experience by using charter flights throughout the season, including playoffs, making travel easier and more efficient. She also announced that the league’s draft lottery will take place on November 17th, with the newly established Golden State Valkyries team receiving the No. 5 pick.
Addressing a pressing issue of player safety, Engelbert acknowledged the rising number of online attacks players have faced. She stated that such behavior is unacceptable and that the league will work collaboratively with the players’ union to find solutions to combat this issue. This includes utilizing technology and mental health support systems.
The league is celebrating a remarkable season characterized by record-breaking attendance and viewership. Over 2.3 million fans attended WNBA games, the highest turnout in 22 years. The teams also achieved a remarkable 154 sellouts, a significant jump from the 45 sellouts of the previous season. The average attendance per game rose to 9,807, a substantial increase from last season’s average of 6,615. Additionally, the league saw a record 22 regular-season telecasts averaging at least 1 million viewers, demonstrating the growing popularity of the league.
The league’s success is undoubtedly fueled by the impressive performance of rookie Clark, whose impact has been a significant driver for the WNBA’s increased popularity. The Indiana Fever, Clark’s team, broke their own single-season home attendance record, surpassing the mark set by the New York Liberty in 2001.
Engelbert concluded her address by emphasizing the 2024 season’s transformative nature for the WNBA, citing the remarkable increase in fan engagement and live game viewership. The league exceeded industry benchmarks, demonstrating its strong appeal and a bright future.
