The WNBA’s mega deal with USA Network was one of the league’s major successes as it looks to kick-start its 2026 season with new broadcasters and profits from it. The Versant, the cable networks’ spinoff from NBCUniversal, unveiled USA Sports as the unified brand for its expansive sports programming.
While the CBA deal might be delaying the start of the season, the USA Sports network is ready with a variety of sports and live events, enabling it to take coverage to the next level.
WNBA Headlines USA Sports’ Massive Broadcast Lineup
The WNBA’s growth prompted ESPN to air more live games, as the Indiana Fever set a first-in-sports record by broadcasting all 44 regular-season games live. Now, the USA Network is also looking to step into the women’s sports network and targets the WNBA as its primary sport.
Under an 11-year media rights agreement announced in September 2025, USA Network will air at least 50 regular-season games annually, highlighted by Wednesday night doubleheaders, plus portions of the playoffs and WNBA Finals in select years through 2036. The USA Network will also use the experienced voice, Elle Duncan, as the studio host for its WNBA coverage.
USA Sports taps Elle Duncan as the studio host for its upcoming @WNBA coverage on @USANetwork.@elleduncantv will lead pregame and postgame studio programming as part of the network’s inaugural WNBA season, which begins in 2026 under the league’s new long-term media rights deal.… pic.twitter.com/dfWHbWdx2f
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) January 22, 2026
Incidentally, the broadcasters are targeting approximately 1,000 hours of coverage dedicated to women’s sports, including WNBA, League One Volleyball, the LPGA Tour, and amateur competitions. It also plans more than 10,000 hours of live events, studio shows, and originals in 2026, as per the report.
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Other prime sports on the network include WWE SmackDown, PGA Tour, Premier League soccer, and NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, as Versant secured rights post-NBCUniversal’s cable spinoff.
WNBA Reporter Highlights Popularity And Fans’ Demand For League’s Coverage
While USA Network showed great intent and aspiration for the WNBA, the league has yet to finalize a CBA, putting everything in jeopardy. Nneka Ogwumike recently highlighted two major hurdles keeping the CBA deal from becoming a reality. While reporters tirelessly provided all these updates, fans also showed interest and an urge for the latest news and live coverage.
In a recent interview, FOS reporter Annie Constabile opened up about the support from fans. “I do have to say thank you to everybody who has sent coffee, cookies, pizza, doughnuts, lawn chairs for us to sit in. It has been such not only heartwarming, a feeling, but its been a reflection of the appetite for this on-the-ground, just daily coverage of Women’s sport,” Constabile said.
"This is just a prime example that people want this type of coverage… people are eating this up."
— Front Office Sports News (@FOS_News_) March 14, 2026
FOS's @AnnieCostabile spoke on all the gifts she's been receiving throughout her on-site coverage of the WNBA CBA negotiations. pic.twitter.com/R0LpxwuNm8
The fans live, and broadcasters’ big plans might force the league to wrap up the pending work in the CBA discussions and get the season on the floor on time.