What was supposed to be a marquee WNBA matchup featuring Angel Reese, one of the league’s most talked-about rookies, turned into an embarrassing ratings flop — and now, sports analysts are calling out the league for its failure to capitalize on the hype.

According to reports, the recent Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty game — broadcast nationally on ESPN — pulled shockingly low viewership numbers, despite the presence of Reese, rising star Marina Mabrey, and MVP front-runner Breanna Stewart.

To make matters worse, FOX Sports host Colin Cowherd lit into the WNBA in a brutal segment, calling the ratings a “wake-up call” and questioning whether the league understands its audience at all.

The Numbers: A Ratings Nightmare

While ESPN expected a solid bump from the Angel Reese effect and the New York market, the actual ratings told a different story:

Viewership dropped below 300,000, despite prime-time airing

Significantly lower than games featuring Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever

Marked one of the lowest-rated nationally televised WNBA games of the month

In contrast, games featuring Clark regularly pull over 700,000 to 1 million+ viewers, even when she’s playing in less competitive matchups.

This raises an uncomfortable question:
Is the WNBA too focused on hype over actual viewer demand?

Colin Cowherd: “This League Is Blowing It”

Never one to hold back, Colin Cowherd scorched the WNBA on his national radio show:

“You had Angel Reese, the Liberty, ESPN, prime-time TV — and still, nobody watched. The WNBA keeps trying to push narratives, but fans aren’t buying it. You can’t fake star power. You can’t fake interest.”

Cowherd went on to compare the league’s promotion of Reese to the NBA’s mistake of overhyping certain draft picks that never delivered ratings or wins.

“Angel Reese is a big name from college, but this isn’t LSU anymore,” he said. “If the product doesn’t match the promotion, fans check out.”

What Went Wrong?

Matchup Quality

Despite star names on paper, the Sky vs. Liberty game lacked competitive drama. The Liberty dominated, and Reese’s impact was limited on the stat sheet.
Casual fans who tuned in likely didn’t stick around.

Oversaturation Without Substance

Reese has been heavily marketed, but her pro game is still developing. Unlike Caitlin Clark, who’s known for logo threes and flashy plays, Reese’s contributions are often subtle and defensive — harder to turn into highlight reels.

WNBA Misreading the Audience

Pushing games based on college stardom alone isn’t enough. Fans want to see elite-level basketball, fierce rivalries, and personalities that translate to the pro stage.

The Caitlin Clark Contrast

The WNBA’s most-watched games all have one thing in common: Caitlin Clark is playing.

Like it or not, the league’s momentum is heavily tied to the Indiana Fever rookie. She’s not only producing must-see moments — she’s also generating constant national conversation, for better or worse.

Meanwhile, Reese — while popular — hasn’t made the same leap in terms of buzz, box score, or highlight impact. And the ratings prove it.

Final Thoughts: Time for the WNBA to Rethink Its Strategy

The WNBA is in a golden moment of visibility, but that window won’t stay open forever. If the league continues to chase college-era storylines instead of developing genuine pro-level narratives, ratings like these will keep happening

Angel Reese has potential. But potential isn’t enough to carry a broadcast.

The real stars — the real stories — must be elevated based on performance, not just past popularity. If not, the “ratings disaster” Colin Cowherd described may become the norm, not the exception.