The Worldwide Leader has figured out how to fill the empty program spot left by the departure of “Sunday Night Baseball.”
ESPN will debut “Women’s Sports Sundays” this summer featuring the top games in the WNBA and the NWSL, with the series running nine weeks and including 12 primetime games.
The new programming will include a studio show along with coverage from ESPN’s digital and social media platforms.
The decision to invest more in women’s sports programming comes at a time when the network has seen an increase in viewership for WNBA broadcasts.
ESPN and ABC saw a 6 percent rating increase for WNBA games last season, with an average viewership of 1.3 million.
The NWSL’s championship match between Gotham FC and Washington Spirit averaged 1.18 million viewers in primetime on CBS, a 22 percent increase from the previous year.
“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and Women’s Sports Sundays is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” Rosalyn Durant, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions, said in a statement. “This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve.”
ESPN said in its statement that it will announce matches, talent and other details at a later date.
This summer will be the first time in 36 years that the network will not have “Sunday Night Baseball” in its programming portfolio.
Sunday night MLB games will now air on NBC, which is still filling out its broadcast roster. Former MLB stars Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo are both expected to play roles in the network’s coverage.
