In a groundbreaking moment for women’s basketball, ESPN’s broadcast of the 2024 WNBA Tip-Off Presented by CarMax has set new records for viewership across its platforms. The Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun season opener, featuring the highly anticipated WNBA debut of Caitlin Clark, drew an impressive 2.1 million viewers, marking it as the most-watched WNBA game on ESPN platforms ever.

During the peak viewing window from 7:45 p.m. to 7:59 p.m., the game captivated an astounding 2.3 million viewers, surpassing the previous record held by the Phoenix Mercury at Connecticut Sun game on May 22, 2004. The momentum continued with the second game of the night, where the Phoenix Mercury faced off against the Las Vegas Aces, which averaged 464,000 viewers—a five percent increase from the previous year. On average, the two games drew 1.28 million viewers, a staggering 192 percent increase compared to last year’s regular season average on ESPN platforms.

The WNBA Countdown presented by Google, which served as the pre-game show for Indiana vs. Connecticut, also saw robust viewership. With an average of 680,000 viewers tuning in on ESPN2, ESPN+, and Disney+, the pre-game show witnessed a 126 percent boost compared to the previous year’s shows on ABC and ESPN.

Moreover, digital content related to the WNBA surged on ESPN platforms, with ESPN.com and the ESPN App seeing a 409 percent increase in unique visitors year-over-year. Engagements across ESPN’s social media accounts for WNBA content also shot up by 125 percent, illustrating the growing enthusiasm and support for women’s basketball.

The excitement is far from over, as coverage of the WNBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax continues on Saturday, May 18, on ABC. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating doubleheader featuring the Indiana Fever taking on the New York Liberty at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Sparks squaring off against the Las Vegas Aces at 3 p.m. ET. The live broadcast will be led by the WNBA Countdown presented by Google, hosted by Elle Duncan, Chiney Ogwumike, and Andraya Carter, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.

As we celebrate these milestones, we want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on this historic WNBA Tip-Off in the comments and encourage your friends and family to join the conversation. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to support these incredible athletes.

For more information, be sure to visit [The Walt Disney Company](https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/). This momentous achievement underscores the magic of Disney’s storytelling and its ability to bring thrilling sports entertainment to audiences around the world.

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