CNBC to simulcast 11 WNBA games this season

LivestreamMenuMake ItselectUSAINTLLivestreamSearch quotes, news & videosLivestreamWatchlistSIGN INCreate free accountMarketsBusinessInvestingTechPoliticsVideoWatchlistInvesting ClubPROLivestreamMenu Sign up today for the CNBC Sport Newsletter The WNBA is expanding its footprint to CNBC. CNBC-parent Versant announced Wednesday that the business news network will simulcast 11 WNBA games this season. The matchups will also air on Versant's USA Network. Last September, Versant and the WNBA announced an 11-year media rights agreement that includes both regular-season and postseason games. As part of that deal, USA Network will air at least 50 games annually. Coverage on CNBC begins Wednesday night with the defending champion Las Vegas Aces taking on the Phoenix Mercury at 10 p.m. ET. That game is the second of a doubleheader that kicks off with the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network. The goal of the simulcasts is to ensure that fans don't miss any of the action, according to USA Sports President Matt Hong. As doubleheaders can occasionally run long, the simulcast will allow viewers to choose which game to tune into if they overlap. The simulcast will also expose the WNBA to an affluent audience on CNBC as the league seeks to capitalize on booming popularity. Wednesday also marks the debut of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham as an athlete contributor for Versant. She will be involved in studio coverage for both games of the doubleheader on both networks. The CNBC Sport newsletter with Alex Sherman brings you the biggest news and exclusive interviews from the worlds of sports business and media, delivered weekly to your inbox. The simulcast agreement marks a new chapter for CNBC as it explores new revenue streams and navigates a corporate spinout from its former parent, Comcast. While CNBC has previously carried Olympic events and occasional golf events, the WNBA simulcast represents a further push into live sports for the cable channel. That could help Versant in future distribution deals with pay TV providers. Versant is now negotiating these carriage deals on its own after previously tying its programming to NBCUniversal when it was part of Comcast. Versant's brands also include MS Now, E!, SyFy and Oxygen, in addition to digital platforms Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass. The company has deals with several other professional sports leagues including NASCAR, the PGA Tour, LPGA and Pac-12 football and basketball. Disclosure: Versant is the parent company of CNBC. FBI says it disrupted alleged plot targeting UFC event at White HouseLuke FountainHow the World Cup spending boom is also an opportunity for income investorsMichelle FoxWorld Cup travel boost hasn't materialized for U.S. businesses — yetContessa BrewerRead MoreSubscribe to CNBC PROSubscribe to Investing ClubLicensing & ReprintsCNBC CouncilsJoin the CNBC PanelDigital ProductsNews ReleasesClosed CaptioningCorrectionsAbout CNBCInternshipsSite MapCareersHelpContactNews TipsGot a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

CNBC to simulcast 11 WNBA games this season

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CNBC to simulcast 11 WNBA games this season

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