the third tee as a gallery of fans look on during a Pro-Am prior to The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican 2024 at Pelican Golf Club on November 13, 2024 in Belleair, Florida. When Caitlin Clark stepped onto the golf course Wednesday at the ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge pro-am, Golf Channel adjusted its entire programming schedule to showcase her rounds with Nelly Korda and Annika Sörenstam. This scheduling change wasn't just about golf.
That wave took shape during the WNBA's record-breaking 2024 season, which shattered viewership records across all platforms, with the WNBA Finals averaging 1.6 million viewers - up 115% from 2023. The story behind these numbers reveals deeper shifts in how audiences consume women's sports and why this growth appears sustainable. The full season averaged 1.2 million viewers across all ESPN platforms, making it the most-watched season in WNBA history.