With “Sunday Night Baseball” no longer featured on ESPN, major changes have been made to the network’s weekend programming.
It was announced in November 2025 that “Sunday Night Baseball” was heading to NBC as part of a three-year media rights agreement. The first Sunday night game on the schedule features the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets.
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Since ESPN can’t lean on “Sunday Night Baseball” this upcoming summer, it’ll focus on the WNBA and NWSL as part of its “Women’s Sports Sunday” initiative.
“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and Women’s Sports Sundays is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” said Rosalyn Durant, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming and acquisitions. “This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve.”
The WNBA’s 2026 season is up in the air right now since a collective bargaining agreement isn’t in place yet. If the league agrees on a new CBA, fans will get to watch Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and all the top stars every Sunday this summer.
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Sep 14, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) walks to the locker room against the Atlanta Dream at halftime during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(© Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Fans boycotting “Women’s Sports Sundays.”
WNBA fans can’t wait for “Women’s Sports Sundays,” but others believe this programming decision from ESPN will backfire.
“I promise you… we wil NOT be watching,” one fan said.
“Oh my goodness what a terrible idea,” a second fan replied. “I’d rather watch paint dry than this.”
“Nah I’ll be watching Sunday Night Baseball on NBC,” another fan wrote.
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“I have a feeling this is just another bad idea by ESPN,” a social media user commented.
ESPN promises to deliver a “premium viewing experience” to sports fans around the country. We’ll see if they make good on that promise.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
