Well, well, well, Sunday nights just got a glow-up, thanks to ESPN.
In a move that has sports fans clutching their remote controls, ESPN is reportedly replacing ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ with something new: “Women’s Sports Sundays.”
Yes, the long-standing baseball tradition is stepping aside. And in its place? A spotlight fully focused on women’s sports.
Some fans are cheering, some are confused. Others are still trying to figure out how to feel without first checking Twitter.
For years, Sunday nights meant MLB matchups, dramatic ninth innings, and commentators speaking in very serious tones about bullpen decisions. Now? Expect slam dunks, world-class serves, breakaway goals, and athletes who have been putting in the work without always getting the prime-time love.
Let’s be honest: women’s sports have been cooking for a while now, ratings are up, attendance is up, hype is up, and the momentum has been building like a playoff run.
So ESPN basically looked at the numbers and said, “Why not?”
The decision to invest more in women’s sports programming comes at a time when the network has seen an increase in viewership for WNBA broadcasts.
ESPN and ABC saw a 6 percent rating increase for WNBA games last season, with an average viewership of 1.3 million.
The NWSL’s championship match between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit averaged 1.18 million viewers in primetime on CBS, a 22 percent increase from the previous year.
“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and Women’s Sports Sundays is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” Rosalyn Durant, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions, said in a statement. “This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve.”
ESPN said in its statement that it will announce matches, talent and other details at a later date.
This summer will be the first time in 36 years that the network will not have “Sunday Night Baseball” in its programming portfolio.
This move could reshape how networks think about scheduling. If it wins, don’t be shocked if other channels start copying the formula.
For now, Sunday nights are getting a new look.
Baseball had a long run, but prime time just found a new MVP.
