WNBA Finals Game 2 Highest-Rated Postseason Game on ESPN since 1999

The WNBA Finals 2014 Presented by Boost Mobile will continue on Friday, Sept. 12, on ESPN2 when the Phoenix Mercury and the Chicago Sky meet at 8 p.m. The Mercury hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, topping Chicago 83-62 in Game 1 and 97-68 in Game 2. If necessary, Games Four and Five will be televised on ESPN2. The telecasts will also be available through WatchESPN and accessible online at WatchESPN.com.

Ryan Ruocco calls the action with analyst Rebecca Lobo and sideline reporter Holly Rowe, in addition to Carolyn Peck providing analysis from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studio.

espnW.com will supplement ESPN’s schedule with comprehensive live coverage, including post-game analysis, on-site videos, reports and commentary.

Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Tuesday, Sept. 9 – a 97-68 win for the Phoenix over the Chicago – averaged a 0.5 rating on ESPN, matching the network’s best for the postseason in 15 years. This game, along with the WNBA Finals Game 2 on October 17, 2012 – are the highest rated postseason games on ESPN since August 30, 1999, when the Los Angeles Sparks faced the Houston Comets (0.9).

Phoenix led all markets for the telecast with a 1.9 rating, followed by Atlanta (1.7); New Orleans and Las Vegas (1.4); Hartford-New Haven (1.3); Greenville, Columbus and Greensboro (1.2); Nashville and Memphis (1.1); and Minneapolis-St. Paul (1.0).

The WNBA Conference Semifinal Game 3 – the Phoenix Mercury’s 96-78 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, Sept. 7 – was the most-viewed on ABC since 2007 (828,000 viewers, 0.5 rating). The Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 between the Detroit Shock and Indiana Fever on September 2, 2007, averaged 839,000 viewers based on a 0.7 rating.

The six WNBA Playoffs 2014 conference semifinal games on ESPN2 posted a 100 percent ratings increase over last season (0.2 HH US rating vs. 0.1), and a 31 percent increase in viewership (262,000 viewers vs. 200,000 viewers).

WNBA Playoffs 2014 Presented by Boost Mobile Schedule (subject to change)

* – If necessary