USA Network, part of Comcast’s upcoming cable spinoff Versant, has signed an 11-year media rights agreement for with the WNBA for regular season games and portions of the playoffs and WNBA Finals in select years starting with the 2026 season.
Under the deal, which runs through 2036, USA Network will present at least 50 WNBA games annually. It expands the game package under a rights agreement the WNBA inked last year with NBCU, as well as Disney/ESPN and Amazon Prime Video, as the popularity of women’s basketball is booming.
“We’re incredibly proud to expand our multi-year partnership with the WNBA,” said Versant’s president of Sports, Matt Hong. “USA Network will be a destination for WNBA viewers all season long, as we showcase the star power across the league in our marquee Wednesday night doubleheaders and build toward the intensity of the WNBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals.”
“Partnering with Versant and USA Network marks another significant milestone for the WNBA’s continued growth,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “As demand for women’s basketball continues to rise, partnerships like this expand the visibility and accessibility of our game. By establishing a weekly primetime destination for fans, this agreement will showcase the excitement of the WNBA to more households than ever before and further elevate the incredible athletes in this league.”
USA Network’s WNBA coverage will be anchored by Wednesday night doubleheaders featuring marquee matchups across the league. Each broadcast night will also include pre-game and post-game studio programming.
Comcast is expected to complete the Versant spinoff in early 2026. The new standalone company will include most of NBCUniversal’s cable television networks, including USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass and SportsEngine.
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