:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63653296/Allie_Quigley_and_Courtney_Vandersloot.0.jpg)
In news certain to thrill WNBA fans from sea to shining sea, the league announced today that it has finalized a multiyear a deal with CBS Sports Network that will bring 40 WNBA games before a nationally-televised audience beginning with the forthcoming WNBA season.
CBS Sports will broadcast live games “on primetime and on weekends” starting with the new-look Minnesota Lynx, which host the Chicago Sky on Saturday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET.
The Lynx will be without Maya Moore (sabbatical) and Lindsey Whalen (retirement), but feature No. 6 overall draft pick out of UConn, Napheesa Collier. The Sky, meanwhile, will debut No. 4 overall draft pick (and Napheesa Collier bestie) Katie Lou Samuelson.
Sue Bird and the reigning Seattle Storm will appear via CBS Sports Network six times in the 2019 WNBA season, including on Friday, June 14, in a 2018 Finals rematch against Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics.
In announcing the deal, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said:
Through our partnership with CBS Sports Network, the WNBA is joining an elite lineup of premium sports programming. We thank CBS Sports for making such a meaningful commitment to women’s basketball and for providing another platform to showcase the world-class athletes of the WNBA.
Click here to see the complete schedule of WNBA games that will be broadcast on CBS Sports in the 2019 season.