Television viewership for WNBA finals up 73 percent from 2008

TV viewership increases for WNBA playoffs

NEW YORK — Television viewership was up for the WNBA playoffs this season.

ESPN said Tuesday the five-game finals averaged 548,000 viewers, up 73 percent from 316,000 in 2008. The 13 postseason games aired on ESPN2 averaged 435,000 viewers, a 54 percent increase from the 282,000 last year.

The Phoenix Mercury won their second WNBA title Friday, beating the Indiana Fever 94-86 in Game 5.