Caption: The logo for the WNBA on ESPN (2023-present). | Photo credit: Barrett Sports Media.
Friday, May 2, 2025
- ESPN reveals their on-air commentator roster for the 2025 WNBA season, the 29th year that ESPN has presented WNBA games.
- Host Elle Duncan is back to anchor WNBA Countdown presented by Google on ABC with studio analysts Chiney Ogwumike & Andraya Carter.
- ESPN expands coverage with a brand-new Los Angeles, California based edition of WNBA Countdown, with Malika Andrews adding WNBA studio hosting duties in addition to her current NBA roles (NBA Countdown, NBA Today).
ESPN, which has broadcasted the WNBA since the league’s inception in 1997, will once again feature a full schedule of regular-season games presented by Google during its 29th season. Additionally, ESPN will be the exclusive home of the entire WNBA postseason.
Extensive coverage begins on Sunday, May 4, when ESPN's coverage of the WNBA's 2025 preseason, presented by State Farm, kicks off. The Indiana Fever, featuring Caitlin Clark, a University of Iowa alum who earned a spot on the All-WNBA First Team as a rookie last year, will lead the Fever into Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City to face the Brazil Women’s National Team. This game will air on ESPN at 4:00 PM (ET).
Industry Leading Commentator Team, with Pam Ward, LaChina Robinson & Angel Gray serving as the #2 Team
ESPN’s game telecasts will feature two commentator teams. The lead WNBA broadcast team includes play-by-play voice Ryan Ruocco, alongside Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe, who return for their 13th season together. This trio will cover marquee matchups throughout the season and will also call the WNBA Finals.
The second commentator team will consist of veteran women’s basketball play-by-play voice Pam Ward, game analyst LaChina Robinson, and sideline reporter Angel Gray, who will also take on play-by-play duties at times during the season.
2025 WNBA on ABC/ESPN Game Commentators:
1. Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, Holly Rowe
2. Pam Ward, LaChina Robinson, Angel Gray (will also serve as a play-by-play commentator)
Additional talent: Christine Williamson (reporter)
WNBA Countdown Presented by Google
WNBA Countdown presented by Google, ESPN’s pregame show, reunites Elle Duncan, Chiney Ogwumike, and Andraya Carter on ABC. It expands to Los Angeles with host Malika Andrews, joined by analysts Monica McNutt and former WNBA head coach, GM, and Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Carolyn Peck.
The WNBA Countdown show will feature two distinct broadcast desks throughout the regular season. On ABC, the Bristol-based show will showcase anchor Elle Duncan and analysts Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter, who return for their second consecutive season.
On ESPN’s WNBA Countdown editions, Malika Andrews - the current host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown - will add WNBA studio coverage to her responsibilities. She will be joined by analysts Monica McNutt, Carolyn Peck, Chiney Ogwumike, and Andraya Carter in Los Angeles. Andrews will contribute across multiple platforms, enhancing ESPN’s coverage with in-depth WNBA news on NBA Today and NBA Countdown, along with increased editorial coverage and cross-promotion.
Joining Elle Duncan and Malika Andrews in hosting duties will be SportsCenter anchor Christine Williamson.
“We’ve built an industry-leading commentator team that reflects our deep commitment to covering every aspect of the WNBA,” said Tim Corrigan, ESPN Senior Vice President of Sports Production. “Adding Malika Andrews to this elite team, leading our efforts from Los Angeles, underscores our commitment to elevating WNBA coverage. With our state-of-the-art facilities in Los Angeles, we are positioned to produce dynamic, year-round content that connects the WNBA and NBA in exciting new ways. This is about breaking new ground—creating synergy, telling bigger stories, and delivering our best across platforms.”
Malika Andrews will make her WNBA debut on Sunday, May 4, when she hosts WNBA Countdown before the Brazil National Team vs. Indiana Fever preseason game on ESPN at 3:00 PM (ET). She will be joined by Chiney Ogwumike, Andraya Carter, and Monica McNutt. Game coverage tips off at 4:00 PM (ET), featuring Ruocco (play-by-play), Lobo (analyst), and Rowe (reporter).
Digital Coverage Expansion
Digital coverage will expand as WNBA Hoop Streams Presented by Google returns for the 2025 season. The social and digital pregame show will launch on Saturday, May 17, at 6:30 PM (ET) across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and the ESPN App. Sam Ravech and Ari Chambers will host the premiere edition, with Christine Williamson serving as the lead host throughout the season alongside Ari Chambers, LaChina Robinson, and other ESPN talent.
ESPN.com will provide extensive WNBA coverage all season long, featuring live game analysis, breaking news, and feature reporting. Michael Voepel’s WNBA Power Rankings will be updated weekly, while Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews, and Kevin Pelton will contribute regularly with storytelling and advanced analysis.
ESPN's regular season WNBA coverage presented by Google begins on Saturday, May 17
ESPN’s regular-season coverage presented by Google will kick off on Saturday, May 17, with the WNBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax. The first game features the two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces visiting the reigning champion New York Liberty at 1:00 PM (ET) on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+. Coverage on ABC begins at 12:30 PM (ET) with an onsite edition of WNBA Countdown, hosted by Elle Duncan, Chiney Ogwumike, and Andraya Carter from Brooklyn. Angel Gray, LaChina Robinson, and Christine Williamson will call the action from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
In the second game of the day, reigning Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year and 2024 All-WNBA First Team selection Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will host 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team pick Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky at 3:00 PM (ET), also on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+. Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe will provide commentary from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Halftime will be hosted by Malika Andrews, alongside Monica McNutt and Carolyn Peck, with studio coverage coming from Los Angeles.
|| 🔗 2025 WNBA on ABC Schedule: 2025 WNBA on ABC Schedule
|| 🔗 2025 WNBA on ESPN Schedule: 2025 WNBA on ESPN Schedule
|| Sources 🛈: ESPN Press Room
=== ### ===
.jpg)
