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What 2.7 Million Fans Tuned in to See
May 21: A record-breaking WNBA game, a key portal pickup for UConn, and Brittney Griner climbs the all-time rebounding ranks.

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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Sky vs. Fever Breaks Viewership Record 📈
The 2025 WNBA season tipped off with a bang. Saturday’s highly anticipated showdown between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever drew 2.7 million viewers on ESPN, peaking at 3.1 million. This is an a new all-time viewership record for a WNBA game on the platform. The earlier game between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty also delivered, averaging 1.3 million viewers. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: Fans didn’t waste a second showing their growing enthusiasm for the W, setting a new viewership record for a WNBA game across ESPN platforms. These numbers also represent the continued appetite for the Angel Reese / Caitlin Clark match-up, two passionate players with a competitive history going back to their college championship showdown in 2023.

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2. UConn Lands USC Transfer Kayleigh Heckel 🔁
UConn has found a new backcourt addition to help fill the gap left by Paige Bueckers. Former USC guard Kayleigh Heckel is heading east and will suit up for the Huskies next season. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Despite a stacked roster, UConn needed fresh backcourt firepower following the departures of Paige Bueckers, Kaitlyn Chen, and Aubrey Griffin. Heckel, an incoming sophomore with three years of eligibility, joins a talented backcourt led by Azzi Fudd, KK Arnold, and Ashlynn Shade. It’s a chance for her to develop into the next great UConn guard.

3. Brittney Griner Climbs Into WNBA’s All-Time Rebounding Top 20 📊
At 34 years old, Brittney Griner is still making waves in the WNBA. The 11-year vet pulled down 8 boards in Atlanta’s tight 91-90 win over Indiana on Tuesday, pushing her into the top 20 on the WNBA’s all-time rebounding list. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: Griner is another long-time league veteran who can still make an impact on the court. Her 6’9” presence has been changing opponents’ game plans for over a decade, and her rebounding skills are still hard to stop. Over her WNBA career, she’s averaged 17.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG. If she keeps pace, she could break into the top 15 rebounders in WNBA history by season’s end.
OVERTIME ⏱️
Nope, that’s not a typo: TickPick reports a 1773% increase in WNBA ticket sales compared to 2023. And yes, your wallet’s probably noticed. The average WNBA ticket price?
2023: $57
2024: $121
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: 52% of you think DeWanna Bonner has the best shot at reaching 20 seasons in the WNBA. Another 41% said “None” — because, let’s face it, staying in the league that long is no small feat. Hard to argue with either take!
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