Brittney Griner’s Comeback Sparkles on Court While WNBA Broadcast Ratings Skyrocket

On Friday night, after an astonishing 579-day absence, Brittney Griner made her long-awaited return to the WNBA with a performance that combined substance and star power: 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks in her season opener against the Sparks at the Crypto.com Arena. While the Phoenix Mercury lost 94–71, Griner’s individual impact was undeniable, and her presence off the court triggered a television ratings phenomenon that hasn’t been seen in decades.ftw.usatoday.comAwful Announcing+4SI+4ftw.usatoday.com+4

1. Instant Impact: The Stats Behind the Comeback

Griner barely needed time to shake off the rust. In just 25 minutes of action, she scratched off her first WNBA bucket from a clean mid-range jumper off a feed from Diana Taurasi. She shot at an efficient clip and immediately asserted herself in the paint, finishing with the stat line of 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 assists.SIftw.usatoday.com

Her coach even remarked that “the arena wasn’t nearly full”, highlighting how the televised audience far exceeded the in-house crowd.ftw.usatoday.com Though fans gave her a warm reception, the impact was more digital than physical.

2. Ratings Explosion: A TV Milestone for the WNBA

Despite tipping off late—after 11 pm Eastern Time—Griner’s return averaged 683,000 viewers on ESPN, making it the sixth highest-rated original cable telecast of the night among adults aged 18–49.Awful Announcing+6on3.com+6reddit.com+6swishappeal.com+14ClutchPoints+14ClutchPoints+14

This viewership landmark made Griner’s first game back the most-watched regular-season WNBA game on cable in 24 years, and the most-viewed Opening Night on any ESPN WNBA broadcast in 11 years.ftw.usatoday.com+6Awful Announcing+6on3.com+6 The broadcast even peaked at around 1 million viewers, and drove a 103% year-over-year increase in opening night ratings on ESPN platforms.on3.com

3. The Scene: Stars, Symbolism, and Sentiment

The atmosphere around the event elevated its importance. Vice President Kamala Harris attended the game, meeting with Griner in the locker room pregame. Hollywood and sports legends like Dawn Staley, Pau Gasol, Magic Johnson, Billie Jean King, and Darvin Ham all showed up.ftw.usatoday.com+2Awful Announcing+2SI+2 Nike even erected a huge “Basketball is home” billboard outside Crypto.com Arena to commemorate the moment.SI+1ftw.usatoday.com+1

Griner received a thunderous standing ovation when introduced before tip-off, setting a powerful tone before the first ball bounced.ftw.usatoday.com Her return wasn’t just a sports event—it became a national moment reflecting resilience, identity, and reconciliation.

4. Inside the Numbers: Why It Mattered

From a ratings perspective, the numbers are staggering. With nearly 700K average viewers and a peak near 1 million, the game shattered typical WNBA viewership norms. The 0.23 rating in the 18–49 demographic surpassed almost all cable sports, except a handful of NBA playoff and PGA Championship programs.ClutchPoints

With ESPN holding broadcast rights through 2025, this surge underscores the league’s commercial potential and media appeal—especially when moments transcend game plays. Presidents, celebrities, and human-rights narratives all drew attention alongside elite basketball.thestreet.comAwful Announcing

5. Beyond the Debut: Griner’s Court Performance & Team Struggles

Griner jumped right back into form. In her follow-up home game, she poured in 27 points and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Sky. Through the first two contests, she averaged 22.5 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks per game—numbers that align with her dominant 2021 season. The Mercury, however, have started 0‑2, struggling to translate Griner’s production into victories.wfaa.com+4reddit.com+4amp.marca.com+4

The team opened the season without a win, but Griner remained openly grateful and focused on recovery—physically, emotionally, and tactically. “There might have been a little dust in my eye,” she said, reflecting on the emotional weight of the moment.wfaa.com+2kslsports.com+2thespun.com+2

6. Why This Return Was Historic

• Longest Absence Since Perks of Career

Griner missed all of 2022 due to her imprisonment in Russia on drug charges. Her return marks the end of a nearly yearlong nightmare and the start of her next chapter in WNBA history.

• A Ratings Phenomenon

With ratings not seen in over two decades, ESPN’s opening night shattered expectations—especially for a game airing near midnight ET.

• Cultural & Political Resonance

Griner’s story illuminated issues beyond basketball: wrongful imprisonment, diplomacy, LGBTQ+ advocacy, mental health, and media visibility. The rating surge reflects more than sport—it reflects storytelling.thestreet.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6amp.marca.com+6

7. Implications for the WNBA and Women’s Sports

WNBA officials argue that moments like these can fuel momentum for the league. The substantial increase in viewership also came hand in hand with a 24% rise in opening weekend attendance, and pushed social media engagement past 30 million video views across platforms.thestreet.com

This visibility is key for future media rights negotiations, sponsorships, and expanding the WNBA’s footprint—especially as audiences continue to show appetite for compelling narratives and player-driven content.

8. And What About the Arena?

While 683K viewers watched at home, those in attendance numbered far fewer. The Sparks’ average home attendance hovers around 5,600, but this opening game drew roughly 10,400 fans—only about 50% capacity in a venue that holds near 19,000. An ESPN analyst even asked, “How was it not a sellout?”reddit.com

That contrast speaks to ongoing challenges: boosting in-person attendance remains elusive for many WNBA franchises compared to the visible growth in broadcast engagement.

9. Griner’s Return in Perspective: Past, Present & Future

Just two years ago, Griner averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and brought the Mercury to the 2021 WNBA Finals. Since then, her trajectory included wrongful detention, international politics, and personal resilience molding her into a symbol that transcends sport.en.wikipedia.orgftw.usatoday.com

Her 2023 return put that legacy on full display again. From the numbers on the ESPN ticker to the headlines far beyond the court, Griner captured attention—and reminded the world why she’s one of the most influential athletes alive.

10. What’s Next for Mercury and WNBA?

After a challenging start, the Mercury return home on Thursday to face the Minnesota Lynx. They’ll look to build on Griner’s momentum while overcoming early losses.

For the WNBA, the 2023 season opener represented more than basketball—it showed potential for mainstream reach when the right story meets sport.