Candace Parker Criticizes TV Networks Over WNBA Scheduling
The 2024 season of the WNBA saw record increases. Not only in attendance at live games; but at home and via streaming devices. In fact, the W experienced a whopping 170 percent increase in viewership over the 2023 season. But this week, former WNBA star and champion Candace Parker criticizes TV networks over WNBA scheduling. Mentioning that their lack of including WNBA coverage kept and is keeping the league from reaching its full potential.
Parker got candid about this subject as she sat down for an interview on the Bloomberg Original podcast The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly. Candace laid out several issues that women’s sports has faced when it comes to receiving airtime. Mainly, that this sector of sports has just been purposely ignored.
Additionally, she took issue with some of the broadcast slotting that the league also must contend with currently. Many networks placed W games at the same time as the NFL. As a result numerous fans, both men and women; are hoping for a change. For WNBA games to be placed at times that are not in direct competition with other sports or other WNBA team’s games. This would allow fans to see all the matchups they want without having to choose between one game or another.
Candace Parker Criticizes TV Networks Over WNBA Scheduling
Nevertheless, this is what Parker had to say about this growing issue. She states,
“The first time they put the Women’s NCAA game on ABC was the first year that Caitlin Clark made the championship game. Are you surprised that the viewership was up? Are you surprised that people actually saw the product? It was buried for so long on ESPN.
[Furthermore] the NBA doesn’t want to clash with NFL playoffs or NFL opening week. So why would we then put the WNBA? I don’t care if that’s the time slot that they’re giving you. Let’s fight for another one or let’s find something else.”
The battle for women’s sports to be seen shall certainly rage on and intensify. However, much will depend on how the WNBA properly utilizes its main star power and continues to build upon the growing interest. But Parker makes an excellent point; why not air games at better times? It will be interesting to see how the WNBA tackles this problem in the future.
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