Brittney Griner's return to Phoenix records massive ratings for ESPN
Brittney Griner‘s return to the WNBA after spending 10 months in Russian detainment provided a special moment that put goosebumps on the arms of any sports fan watching. And according to ESPN, many people were in fact tuned in.
The Phoenix Mercury may have been on the road in Los Angeles to take on the Sparks in their regular season opener, but Griner stole the show, receiving a standing ovation from the visiting crowd when she touched the floor.
The special moment was one that garnered a lot of attention, as ESPN’s PR Twitter account revealed that Griner’s return most-viewed WNBA regular season game on cable television in 24 years and the most-viewed Opening Day on ESPN platforms in 11 years.
The Sparks versus Mercury matchup averaged 683,000 viewers and even peaked at an audience of one million viewers. All culminating in a 103% increase in viewership on ESPN platforms from 2022’s opening night to 2023’s edition.
2024’s Opening Day for the WNBA will definitely have some tough competition next season, as Griner’s unique situation provided an elevated and unprecedented appeal to last Friday’s matchup. But Griner and other WNBA stars will look to continue their efforts in expanding the game that’s seemingly growing in popularity year after year.
Griner ended her season debut with 18 points, six rebounds, and four blocks, which she followed with an impressive double-double performance in the Mercury’s home opener versus the Chicago Sky. Herself and the Mercury will take on the Minnesota Lynx in their next matchup on Thursday, as they still seek their first win of the regular season.
Brittney Griner makes official return to WNBA following Russian imprisonment
Brittney Griner made her official return to the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury during her team’s 2023 season opener against the Los Angeles Sparks Friday.
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Ahead of tip-off, Griner received a standing ovation from the Crypto.com Arena crowd.
She wasted no time making an impact, connecting on her first jump shot off the dish from Diana Taurasi.
Griner inked a one-year, $165,100 deal this offseason to return to the Mercury for a 10th season. She signed her deal shortly after returning to the U.S. after spending 10 months in Russian detainment on drug charges. Griner was part of a one-on-one prisoner swap for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
She last suited up for the Mercury in 2021, where she averaged 20.5 points and a career-high 9.5 rebounds per game. Griner led her team to the WNBA Finals, where the Chicago Sky ousted the Mercury in four games. She has been an All-Star in seven of her nine seasons, with career averages of 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.
Speaking with reporters after a preseason game last Friday, Griner admitted she didn’t believe she’d be back out on the court this quickly.
“I didn’t think I would be sitting here and playing basketball this quickly,” Griner said. “Coming back, I didn’t know how it was going to go, getting back into it. I’m not going to take a day for granted, but it was a lot to take it all in and it was good to get this one out of the way before we go out to LA.”