ESPN Replacing 'Sunday Night Baseball' with WNBA, NWSL Games

Women's sports leagues set to take over prime-time Sunday slot

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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ESPN has announced that it will replace 'Sunday Night Baseball' with a new 'Women's Sports Sundays' franchise featuring live WNBA and NWSL games as well as accompanying studio coverage. The move comes as the network's deal with MLB for 'Sunday Night Baseball' is set to expire, with NBC taking over those rights starting in 2026.

Why it matters

This shift represents ESPN's commitment to elevating women's sports and providing them with a high-profile national platform. The WNBA and NWSL have been experiencing growing popularity and viewership, and this new Sunday night showcase aims to capitalize on that momentum.

The details

ESPN's 'Women's Sports Sundays' will feature 12 live games from the WNBA and NWSL over a nine-week period in prime time. The network believes this is the 'next step in meeting the demand' for women's sports coverage. Details on specific matchups and broadcast talent are still to be announced.

  • The NWSL season starts on March 13, 2026 and runs through November.
  • WNBA training camps are scheduled to open on April 19, 2026 ahead of the league's May 8 tip-off, though a labor dispute threatens to delay the start of the season.

The players

Rosalyn Durant

ESPN's executive vice president of programming and acquisitions.

Women's National Basketball Players Association

The labor union representing WNBA players, which is currently in negotiations with the league over a new collective bargaining agreement.

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What they’re saying

“Women's sports are experiencing continued momentum, and 'Women's Sports Sundays' is ESPN's next step in meeting that demand.”

— Rosalyn Durant, ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions (statenews.net)

What’s next

Details about specific WNBA and NWSL matchups and broadcast personnel for 'Women's Sports Sundays' will be announced at a later date.

The takeaway

ESPN's decision to replace its long-running 'Sunday Night Baseball' franchise with a new prime-time showcase for the WNBA and NWSL underscores the network's commitment to elevating women's sports and providing them with a high-profile national platform. This move comes as both leagues are experiencing growing popularity and viewership, and it aims to capitalize on that momentum.