The '17 WNBA campaign tips off this weekend, and coming off one of the "most successful seasons in WNBA history on and off the court, the league has found ways to try to bring in new fans," according to Doug Feinberg of the AP. Whether "streaming games on Twitter, partnering with FanDuel to offer daily fantasy sports or just having more games on television, the WNBA is growing." This year's changes "come after the WNBA had its highest attendance in five seasons, record marks for WNBA digital, social media and retail and double-digit growth in television viewership on ESPN." The WNBA will "show 20 games a year on Twitter over the next few seasons." The games on Twitter are "exclusive to the social media platform and aren't on local or national TV." Twitter is "paying the WNBA an undisclosed amount to stream the games." It is the "first women's sport to be live-streamed on Twitter." Meanwhile, the WNBA's partnership with FanDuel is the "first time a women's professional sports league will be available in one-day fantasy games." FanDuel will be "offering free WNBA contests in which participants can win regular-season courtside tickets and merchandise, among other things." Feinberg notes the WNBA will also "have more games on television this season with 222 local broadcasts." That is up about 31% from last season (AP, 5/12).
