As Caitlin Clark’s arrival with the Indiana Fever continues to change the game for women’s basketball, one local broadcaster is getting in on the action.
On Monday, local television conglomerate TEGNA announced that it has reached a deal to broadcast select Fever games for free on its local Indianapolis television station, WTHR, and radio station, WALV. The Virginia-based TEGNA also noted in a release that it “will work with additional broadcast companies in the coming weeks to expand free over the air access to all available television markets outside of Indianapolis.”
“So many new fans are tuning in to watch the world’s best basketball players compete in the WNBA, and the Fever have built a roster of incredible young talent that has caught the attention of basketball fans all over the globe,” Rick Fuson, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said in a release. “TEGNA and WTHR have been amazing local partners for years, and we are excited that more fans than ever before will get the chance to watch these amazing athletes play.”
Added TEGNA president and CEO Dave Lougee: “This is an exhilarating moment for women’s sports. The WNBA and Fever are leading the charge with this groundbreaking local broadcast rights agreement. The remarkable journey of Caitlin Clark and her teammates has captured the hearts and minds of millions. We’re thrilled to deliver all the Fever action to every household in the Indianapolis region.”
As a part of the deal, the following games will be shown for free over the air on WTHR or WALV (all times ET):
- May 16 vs. New York, 7 p.m. WTHR
- May 22 @ Seattle, 10 p.m. WTHR
- May 25 @ Las Vegas, 9 p.m. WTHR
- May 30 vs. Seattle, 7 p.m. WTHR
- June 1 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m. WALV
- June 10 @ Connecticut, 7 p.m. WTHR
- June 13 vs. Atlanta, 7 p.m. WTHR
- July 10 vs. Washington, Noon WTHR
- August 24 @ Minnesota, 8 p.m. WALV
- August 26 @ Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. WTHR
- August 28 vs. Connecticut, 7 p.m. WALV
- September 1 @ Dallas, 4 p.m. WALV
- September 4 vs. Los Angeles, 7 p.m. WALV
- September 8 vs. Atlanta, 4 p.m. WTHR
- September 11 vs. Las Vegas, 7 p.m. WALV
- September 15 vs. Dallas, 3 p.m. WALV
- September 19 @ Washington, 7 p.m. WTHR
TEGNA’s deal with the Fever marks the WNBA’s latest effort to capitalize on the recent rise in popularity of women’s basketball, which has been spearheaded by Clark’s unprecedented star power. Earlier this month, the WNBA revealed that 36 of the Fever’s 40 regular-season games this season will be broadcast nationally.
[TEGNA]
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.