The WNBA has agreed to a new multi-year partnership with CBS Sports, according to Doug Feinberg of the AP.
The agreement will nearly double national tv exposure for the league.
The CBS Sports Network will televise 40 games, starting with the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Chicago Sky on May 25th.
The WNBA, entering into its 23rd season, also has a deal with ESPN to televise 16 games this season.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver saying of the deal,
“Through our partnership with CBS Sports Network, the WNBA is joining an elite lineup of premium sports programming. We thank CBS Sports for making such a meaningful commitment to women’s basketball and for providing another platform to showcase the world-class athletes of the WNBA.”
Expanding league exposure is important for the WNBA as it looks to put more eyes on the league in hopes of generating more revenue.
Pay disparity has been a large topic of conversation within the league as it looks to discover ways to pay players more.
This was highlighted recently when reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart went down with a torn Achilles while playing overseas.
Her injury continued to shed light on players having to go overseas to make better money, while struggling with pay in the WNBA.
Last season WNBA viewership was up 31% during the regular season as NBA TV broadcasted 49 games along with ESPN and ABC’s coverage.
It is an important step for the WNBA as it continues to move forward in expanding exposure for the league and creating large fan bases across the country.
With larger exposure, the WNBA could begin to address increasing player salaries to keep its best players in the States.
The WNBA begins their new regular season on Friday May 24th, as the Seattle Storm are the defending WNBA Champions.