Attendance, TV viewership rise again for WNBA

By Vin A. Cherwoo

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Sept. 2 2011 2:40 p.m. MDT

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FILE - In this Aug. 16, 2011, file photo, fans reach out to Minnesota Lynx' Maya Moore, center, prior to a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Attendance and TV ratings are up for the WNBA, which is entering the final stretch of its 15th season.

Jessica Hill, File, Associated Press

Summary

WNBA attendance has risen again and TV viewership has reached its highest level since 2005 as the league's 15th season heads into the final stretch.

NEW YORK — WNBA attendance has risen again and TV viewership has reached its highest level since 2005 as the league's 15th season heads into the final stretch.

There's also good news on the business front with the recent announcement of a league-wide marquee deal with Boost Mobile that includes placement of the company's logos on most teams' jerseys. The multiyear deal reported to be worth eight figures should solidify the WNBA's future at a time critics have speculated the NBA's ongoing labor strife could hurt the women's league.

WNBA President Laurel Richie hailed the Boost deal as "a wonderful validation" of her league.

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