The 2024 WNBA Finals began on Thursday night with an intense Game 1 showdown between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty, two powerhouse teams in the league. Fans were treated to an instant classic, as the visiting Lynx edged out the Liberty 95-93 in a thrilling overtime battle. Led by Napheesa Collier’s clutch performance, the Lynx managed to overcome Sabrina Ionescu and the Liberty in what was a high-stakes opening game.
Despite the excitement on the court, Game 1 of the WNBA Finals likely didn’t get the attention it deserved from viewers. The game tipped off at 8 p.m. ET, just 15 minutes before the start of a highly anticipated Thursday Night Football matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. For many sports fans, the conflict in scheduling meant having to choose between watching the WNBA Finals or NFL football, and the majority likely opted for the latter.
The scheduling issue doesn’t stop there. Game 2 of the Finals is set to tip off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, right in the middle of a jam-packed NFL Week 6 schedule, further complicating viewership for the WNBA’s championship series. These decisions have sparked significant backlash, with critics calling out the league for not making the most of what could have been a pivotal moment for women’s basketball.
One of the most vocal critics has been sports broadcaster Bill Simmons, who took the WNBA to task for its scheduling choices during a recent episode of his podcast. Simmons argued that the league missed a golden opportunity to build on the unprecedented attention the WNBA has garnered, particularly after what he calls the “Caitlin Clark Boom.”
Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has been a transformative figure for the league. Clark’s sensational Rookie of the Year campaign with the Indiana Fever shattered WNBA viewership records at nearly every turn. Her rise, alongside other stars, has brought unprecedented excitement to the WNBA, making this season one of the most anticipated in the league’s history.
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“The WNBA had this amazing moment this season to get as many eyeballs as possible on their most important games, and stuck to the schedule that they did 15 years ago… And completely blew it,” Simmons said. “I actually wanted to watch those games and there’s no way I’m watching anything other than football on a Sunday.”
Simmons wasn’t done, continuing his critique by suggesting that the WNBA rethink its scheduling strategy to avoid competing with the NFL. “This isn’t rocket science,” he added. “Friday night’s gonna be your awesome night. Put something great on that. Wednesday night is another awesome one, you’re not going against anything… You have a chance to blow this league out and make it really a pretty mainstream league. It’s not going to happen going against the NFL.”
Simmons’ frustration reflects a broader sentiment among WNBA fans who feel that the league’s biggest games are being overshadowed by poor timing.
With viewership on the rise, particularly with stars like Caitlin Clark bringing new fans to the game, many believe the WNBA should have adjusted its Finals schedule to maximize exposure.
Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, however, will be the first contest without direct competition from the NFL. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, a time slot that could allow the league to capture a larger audience without the overshadowing presence of football.
The hope is that the WNBA will use this opportunity to showcase the talent, drama, and excitement of the Finals and draw in more viewers for the remainder of the series.
For now, the focus remains on the action between the Lynx and Liberty, but the controversy over scheduling continues to loom large.
As the league grows and new stars like Caitlin Clark bring even more attention to women’s basketball, there’s hope that the WNBA will learn from this season and make more strategic choices in the future to capitalize on its rising momentum.
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