Last month, WNBA star Brittney Griner made it official that she will be returning to the Phoenix Mercury this season after spending 10 months in a Russian penal colony. And now, she’ll be making her triumphant return to the basketball court. But even though it will be broadcast nationally, many will be unable to see it due to the late tip time.
ESPN announced on Wednesday that it will be broadcasting the season-opening showdown between the Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, May 19th, bringing Brittney Griner’s return to the hardwood to a national audience. The game will be the first of 25 WNBA regular season games broadcast on ESPN, ABC, or ESPN2 throughout the season. However, it does not tip off until 11 p.m. E.T., making it too late for many viewers to watch it.
Though it is good to see ESPN broadcasting such a big moment as Griner returns to the court after she was released from Russian captivity back in December, many were upset that the tip time will be so late.
Though it’s worth noting that this game will be in primetime on the west coast where it’s played, it’s not an ideal start time for a nationwide audience.
[ESPN]
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