Things continue to look up for the WNBA Champions as they extend their partnership with FOX5 and My9.
“The game is best when the game is free.” – Juanita Anderson, veteran TV producer.
It’s hard to keep up with watching live sports these days. Between the increasing price of cable, need for various paid streaming services, League Pass problems, etc., tuning in to watch your favorite team can be a hassle. It creates unnecessary barriers for people to watch, and it can lead to decreasing fan interest if leagues and networks aren’t careful. Across the sports landscape, we’ve seen teams start to work against that trend. Here in the tri-state area, the reigning WNBA Champions are taking another big step in making the game more accessible.
In 2024, the New York Liberty announced that FOX5 and My9 would be the official broadcast partners of the team and provide free access for home and road games on television and the FOX Local App. The partnership has been a major success as viewership numbers increased by 129 percent from 2023. FOX5 and MY9 reach over 7.5 million homes and are available in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. With the overwhelming success the Liberty saw in 2024, the relationship will continue and build on the coverage with some new and exciting programming.
The Liberty and FOX5 announced a multiyear contract extension that will see FOX5 remain the official television partner. They’ll also be beefing up the coverage as there will be new weekly Liberty-themed programming across the FOX5 platforms.
And throughout the season, FOX5 will air pre- and post-game programming for selected Liberty games.
In addition, we’ll see a greater Liberty presence in feature segments and other shows across FOX5 and MY9’s digital and social media platforms as well. Liberty fans have shown up and shown out for the team since its inception in 1997, and for fans who may not be able to attend the games, having the games on FOX5 and My9 will allow them to maintain that connection with the team and its players … without having to pay or work hard to find programming.
“The New York Liberty is laser focused on ensuring the continued evolution of our business and our multi-year extension with FOX5 plays an integral role in extending our reach,” Liberty CEO Keia Clarke said in a statement. “We are excited to call such a significant platform our local TV home for years to come and new Liberty-dedicated programming, will increase fan accessibility while also elevating our brand and driving business growth for both our franchise and women’s sports at large.”
Clarke’s point about accessibility is critical. It called to mind something Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson told media in August 2023 when I asked her about games being accessible on free channels like ABC:
“It’s super valuable. I think it’s something we’re going to see a lot of later on, because I think it does matter. I’ve always said, ‘If you can see her, you can be her,’ and you can’t see us if we’re through all these different kind of channels because we’re human and we like things like that. So, I think this is huge for us…”
When you put on a great show — including a championship — that everyone can watch, you create new fans that want to stick around and follow what you do. It allows you to form a deeper connection with people, lead them to recommend you to their friends and family, and keep the excitement going across generations. That connection makes for an atmosphere that is welcoming for everyone in person and at home.
The New York Liberty have been on a tremendous hot streak. The team continues to make its presence felt in the community as they help out across New York. The roster is in great shape as they continue preparations for their title defense. And with a new television contract extension, fans can maintain their connection with the team and watch them as much as possible. It’s another great step forward for a team that has captured the hearts of fans all across the city and the world.