NBA legend Michael Redd, in his latest social media post, pointed out the jarring reality of “Unrivaled,” an exponential rise in attendance and filled seats alongside a drop in television ratings. He acknowledged the sport’s cultural expansion and how the challenges and demands of this 3-on-3 league aren’t within the current broadcast reach.
The WNBA has gained unstoppable momentum in recent years, fueled largely by its global appeal and record-breaking media investments. It secured a massive media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC in 2024, valued at approximately $200 million per year. By and large, this enthusiasm also translated into success when Unrivaled was introduced.
But the ongoing viewership slump has become a constant concern for players, teams, and league management.
Michael Redd Addresses Unrivaled’s Rating Slump
Unrivaled has the WNBA’s biggest names, including Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, gracing its hardwood. But despite a star-studded roster, its second season has seen a significant drop in viewership.
According to ESPN, Unrivaled’s 2026 playoff viewership sank 9% to an average of 258,000 viewers on TNT and TruTV, down from last year’s 284,000.
The season opener saw an average of 175,000 viewers tuning in, while the championship match between the Mist and Phantom averaged only 314,000 views and peaked at 335,000. That was a 14% dip from last year’s 364,000 views recorded by the Rose vs. Vinyl clash.
“Enjoy many(!) aspects of Unrivaled, but we’re jumping through hoops here to make the TV numbers work. Bottom line: TV viewership was down year over-year. A lot of other numbers were up — sponsorships, attendance, merch, etc. but TV was down across the board and for Championship game,” Redd stated in his social media post.
Enjoy many(!) aspects of Unrivaled, but we’re jumping through hoops here to make the TV numbers work.
Bottom line:
TV viewership was down year over-year. A lot of other numbers were up — sponsorships, attendance, merch, etc. — but TV was down across the board and for… https://t.co/r87Q2XAOxb
— Michael Redd (@MichaelRedd_) March 9, 2026
The lack of viewership ratings could also be attributed to the saturated viewing pool and competition with the NFL playoffs, the College Football Playoff, and the 2026 Winter Olympics, which generally attract the most attention.
According to the IOC, Peacock had 16.7 billion minutes of Milano Cortina 2026 content consumed. Against such global events, Unrivaled failed to hold its own in the television market.
Unrivaled’s Attendance Records and Revenue
Redd’s comments also highlighted a curious paradox: despite declining broadcast numbers, demand for the live product reached an all-time high.
On January 30, Unrivaled set a regular-season record, drawing 21,490 fans to Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia for a sold-out doubleheader. This eclipsed the 20,711 record set during the Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics game in 2024.
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Unrivaled’s financial health remains surprisingly robust despite the ratings slide. Commissioner Micky Lawler reported that Unrivaled was on track to generate approximately $45 million in revenue in 2026, up from $27 million in 2025, a 67% increase.
With its rising social media presence, the league’s growth is driven by increased merchandise sales and a 35% viewership bump following the record-breaking live events.
As the league looks toward the 2027 season, the focus shifts to whether this buzz can eventually stabilize the unstable broadcast viewership metrics in an increasingly competitive media environment.
