Book ‘Em: WNBA Has Its ION Expanded National Coverage With Scripps Alliance

By Barry Janoff

UPDATED May 23, 2023: Last month, the WNBA unveiled a multi-year pact with The E.W. Scripps Company to televise games on Friday nights during the regular season as the first sports property to air on ION.

Today, State Farm unveiled an agreement E.W. Scripps to serve as title sponsor of "WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION" for the 2023 WNBA season, every Friday night from May 26 to Sept. 8.

The first games are Friday: Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm.

"State Farm is a longtime supporter and sponsor of the WNBA," Kristyn Cook, chief agency, sales and marketing officer, State Farm, which began its alliance with the league in 2013 when it became presenting partner of the WNBA Draft.

“We are constantly looking for ways to elevate women in sports, and WNBA Friday Night Showcase on ION will bring the excitement of women's basketball to even more people."

Scripps said ION would “implement an extensive promotional effort to drive awareness and tune-in for the new Friday primetime franchise.”

“State Farm has set the pace once again as we partner to raise the WNBA's profile," Tony Lamerato, vp-revenue and sponsorships for Scripps Sports, said via the company.

"They are the perfect fit to title our new Friday night franchise on ION."

April 20, 2023: Describing it as a plan to “expand the league's media horizon and reach basketball fans in greater numbers,” the WNBA today unveiled a multi-year pact with The E.W. Scripps Company to televise games on Friday nights during the regular season on ION.

The WNBA is the first sports property to air on ION, a national network whose mainstay is re-broadcasting crime dramas such as Hawaii Five-O, NCIS and Law & Order, which reaches U.S. TV households nationwide over-the-air and on all major pay TV and connected TV services.

Financial terms of the deal were not released.

"The WNBA is thrilled to partner with Scripps to expand the league's media horizon and reach basketball fans in greater numbers," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said via the league.

"Access to watch WNBA games is in high demand, and Scripps' dedicated Friday night lineup of WNBA games on ION will become much desired appointment viewing for WNBA fans."

The WNBA is scheduled to begin its 27th season on May 19.

WNBA games this season will also air on ESPN, ABC, CBS, Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, NBA TV, Meta Horizon Worlds and Twitter.

WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION will feature WNBA games during two windows on Friday nights over 15 weeks, from May 26 to Sept. 8.

The Friday night schedule and windows, details of which will be shared prior to the season opener, will include games that will be available nationally as well as games made available on a regional basis.

Scripps said ION would “implement an extensive promotional effort to drive awareness and tune-in for the new Friday primetime franchise.”

Bounce, Scripps News and Scripps' other national networks will help with cross-marketing and promotion.

Scripps also will use its local TV stations to promote the WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION throughout the season.

"The WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION brings women's professional basketball the broadest possible reach with the consistency that fans, players, teams and the league deserve," Adam Symson, Scripps president and CEO, said via the netwrok.

"Scripps is fully committed to serving and growing the number of American women's basketball fans who value the athleticism, professionalism and excitement the WNBA brings into their living rooms."

The 2023 regular season will include a record-high 40 games per team, up four games from the previous high of 36 last season. Each team will play 20 home games and 20 road games.

The bulk of ION scheduling features re-airing such shows as NCIS, Hawaii Five-O, Leverage, MacGyver, Law & Order, Chicago P.D., Blue Blocks and Criminal Minds.

"Scripps Sports was established to help leagues and teams extend their reach and connect with audiences through new distribution channels," Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, said via the network.

"We are pleased the WNBA sees the ION network as an opportunity to showcase its games with a weekly nationwide franchise designed to increase visibility and fandom for this sport. Women's sports merits a national broadcast network that ensures every American TV household can watch these amazing athletes and their gripping game play."

WNBA ’23: More Griner, Games, Google

Back to Home Page