March 4, 2022
WNBA announces 2022 Disney broadcast schedule
By Emma Paidra
Disney networks will broadcast 25 regular-season games and upwards of 27 postseason games
The WNBA announced Thursday that during the league’s upcoming 26th season—slated to begin on May 6—the broadcast schedule will feature 25 national Disney Network broadcasts during the regular season. These national broadcasts will be aired across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.
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For the duration of the WNBA’s 26th season, the league is partnering with Google and Disney Networks. Through this partnership, up to 52 games will be presented, beginning with the regular season and ending with the postseason format that began in 2021, which could include as many as 27 games.
Though the complete television and steaming schedule is currently unavailable, it is presently known that a combined 40 games will be available through CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network. Additional games will be available through NBA TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Facebook Watch. WNBA League Pass rounds out the ways to tune in for the 2022 season. The full schedule of games was released in December.
“ESPN has been a stalwart broadcast partner for the WNBA for 26 consecutive years, and we are grateful they, in partnership with Google are providing significant opportunities to view WNBA games in 2022,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “From tip-off weekend through our expanded postseason, ESPN and Google are continuing to serve our growing fan base and providing an enormous national platform for WNBA players and fans.”
The Disney network broadcast schedule will commence on Saturday, May 7, when the Connecticut Sun take on the New York Liberty on the road. The Sun roster currently boasts reigning WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones as well as 2021 All-Stars DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones.
The Liberty are led by 2021 All-Star Betnijah Laney, the reigning Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere and 2020 No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu. After a first-round playoff exit last season, New York has added reigning WNBA champion Stefanie Dolson in free agency to bolster their frontcourt.
“We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the WNBA, having been connected with the league since the very beginning of its 26-year history,” said Matt Kenny, vice president, programming and acquisitions. “We look forward to this season as we deepen our commitment with increased coverage of the newly expanded postseason.”
The WNBA’s opening weekend also boasts an exciting doubleheader on Sunday, May 8, on ESPN2. To kick off the doubleheader, the Washington Mystics will head west to face the Minnesota Lynx at 8 p.m. ET. That game will kick off the 15th and final season for WNBA legend Sylvia Fowles.
Following that matchup, the Las Vegas Aces will welcome the Seattle Storm at 10 p.m. ET for a rematch of the 2020 WNBA Finals. This game will mark the beginning of Sue Bird’s 19th season, which may be her last. Bird and three-time All-Star Jewell Lloyd will go up against first-year head coach Becky Hammon’s squad led by 2020 MVP A’ja Wilson.
