Seattle home opener delivers highest-rated opening game since 2012, up 25% from last year

ESPN announced the following today:

ABC’s presentation of the Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, May 25, delivered a 0.5 overnight rating according to Nielsen (excluding Chicago market), making it the highest-rated WNBA opening game on ESPN networks since the 2012 matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx (0.8, ABC). This year’s season opener was up 25% compared to last year’s regular-season opener (0.4, ESPN2).

The top markets included: Seattle (1.5), Louisville (1.2), Nashville (1.1), Birmingham and Cleveland (0.9).

Of course, with the game showcased on ABC, it is logical that ratings would be higher as viewers do not need a cable subscription or streaming package to view content on ABC. Last season during opening weekend, only one game was nationally televised, a May 20, 2018 Los Angeles at Minnesota matchup on ESPN2.