NEW YORK, July 2, 2008 – Double-digit growth in TV ratings, record
traffic to WNBA.com, increased attendance and sellouts set the tone as the WNBA
nears the halfway point of its 12th season.
WNBA ratings are up 20 percent on ABC (0.6 rating vs. 0.5) and 22 percent on ESPN2
(0.22 vs. 0.18), while average attendance through June has increased 2.44 percent
vs. a comparable period in 2007 (7,519 vs. 7,340). Highlighting the attendance
growth are 18 sellouts registered to date – already surpassing the 17 total
sellouts for the entire 2007 regular season.
In June, WNBA.com set an all-time record for monthly site visits with nearly 3
million, a 35 percent increase over June 2007. WNBA.com also experienced a single-day
video record of nearly 95,000 streams on June 23, one day after
Candace Parker became
the second player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.
WNBA merchandise sales at the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue and at WNBAStore.com increased
34 percent versus the same time last year, led by sales of Parker jerseys.
The strong WNBA fan response is fueled by outstanding performances on the court
as All-Stars take their game to new heights and the most heralded draft class
in league history has delivered.
A pair of perennial All-Stars reached milestones with
Lisa Leslie becoming the
first WNBA player to record 3,000 career rebounds and
Tina Thompson joining Leslie
as the second player to reach the 5,000 career points plateau. Rookie sensations
Parker and
Candice Wiggins (“Ace” and “Ice”) have
flourished – with Parker ranking among the league leaders in points, rebounds,
blocks, assists and steals per game and Wiggins leading all rookie scorers –
while first-round picks
Alexis Hornbuckle and
Nicky Anosike are pacing the league
in steals per game.
Later this month, the New York Liberty host a historic event – The Liberty
Outdoor Classic – the first-ever regular season professional basketball game
to be held outdoors. The July 19 game against the Indiana Fever will be held at
the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY, at 7:30 p.m. and televised on MSG.
