logo
How to watch the Minnesota Lynx in 2025: Broadcast and streaming info for Napheesa Collier's crew

How to watch the Minnesota Lynx in 2025: Broadcast and streaming info for Napheesa Collier's crew

The Minnesota Lynx are undefeated as they approach the quarter mark of their 2025 season. Napheesa Collier looks like the league MVP, with scintillating 50/40/90 shooting splits and elite interior defense. Kayla McBride seemingly cannot miss from long range. And Courtney Williams is still happy to be a dog. Despite its ultra-patient pace and two-way mechanics, Minnesota will be one of the WNBA's most exciting teams to watch through the summer and fall.
Advertisement
Accessing all the games and tracking blackout restrictions is considerably less exciting. It's undoubtedly awesome to see the WNBA broaden its broadcast scope, but figuring out how to watch games can get confusing if not downright frustrating. Here's our shot at making sense of it all, at least when it comes to the rest of this thrilling Lynx campaign. Make sure to follow the Lynx and WNBA on The Athletic. Senior writer Chantel Jennings is an integral voice in women's basketball. Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman each cover the W with passion, from power rankings and bench observations to in-depth feature reporting on star players. Now, before we tumble through the weeds, here's a paisley Prince-Cheryl Reeve crossover to lift our spirits.
Fubo is a cable-cutting streaming platform that offers local and national channels, along with add-on sports packages. Any regional game on FanDuel Sports Network can be streamed with Fubo, along with the national ones on ESPN, ABC, CBS, ION and NBA TV.
What you need to watch these games: Fubo. The 'pro' plan is $84.99 per month, with an additional charge for 4K Ultra HD
Every team has a regional sports network, or an RSN, that carries local matchups. Aside from the nationally televised action, all Lynx games are on FDSN. The franchise has partnered with this station since it was known as Fox Sports North, then as Bally Sports North.
Marney Gellner holds it down on play-by-play. She has been part of the network's many iterations since 2002. Gellner is a local trailblazer in sports broadcasting, as the first woman to call a Minnesota Twins game and the second woman to lead play-by-play in an NBA game (Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls, 2018). She's also a staple of Lynx basketball, having called 15 consecutive seasons and four WNBA title runs.
Advertisement
Lea B. Olsen is on color commentary for Year 16. She's an intrastate lifer who ascended from walk-on to team captain at the University of Minnesota during her collegiate basketball days.
What you need to watch these games: Fubo, DirecTV Stream (starting $80-90 monthly), a FanDuel Sports Network team pass ($19.99 per month or $189 annually)
FDSN North is available on the providers DirecTV, Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity. A four-pack of local Lynx matchups will be simulcast for free across the Twin Cities and Minnesota's regional territory.
What you need to watch these games: a cable provider with FanDuel Sports Network; a broadcast antenna for KARE 11 over-the-air
Remaining over-the-air games on channel 11:
WNBA League Pass is the painless answer for all Lynx fans outside of Minnesota. A subscription covers every out-of-market regional broadcast for the regular season. However, blackout restrictions are in effect (sadly), so folks in the Minnesota area won't be able to stream Lynx games live on League Pass. Nationally televised games are also blacked out on the app.
What you need to watch these games: WNBA League Pass ($12.99/month or $34.99 for the 2025 season)
Ryan Ruocco is the primary play-by-play anchor for ESPN's WNBA programming. His call is punchy and controlled, and his love for the game bleeds through the screen. Ruocco has sharpened his product with the MLB's New York Yankees and the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, and he's narrated some of the modern classics in women's March Madness. His signature refrain, 'You bet!' gets Caitlin Clark fired up.
UConn legend Rebecca Lobo does color commentary. She played center for the Huskies during their first perfect season and 1995 national title crowning. The Hall-of-Famer suited up for the inaugural New York Liberty campaign in 1997 and played for the Connecticut Sun, plus the now-defunct Houston Comets and Springfield Spirit. Holly Rowe is the lead sideline reporter; she talks to players and coaches after the final buzzer.
Advertisement
The network's second team features Pam Ward, LaChina Robinson and Angel Gray. Some games will be broadcast on ESPN3, a live streaming platform within ESPN's digital products (the app, the website, etc.).
What you need to watch these games: a TV plan with ESPN; an ESPN+ standalone subscription, which includes ABC games (starting at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually)
Lynx games on ESPN (and ESPN+):
There's a record 13 regular-season WNBA games on ABC this season, plus the 2025 All-Star Game. Conference finals and Finals play will be split between ABC and ESPN, which share the same ownership in Disney. The aforementioned ESPN talents are on the mic here, too.
The ABC/ESPN pregame programming is called 'WNBA Countdown,' and it's a thoroughly radiant affair. Women's hoops expert Elle Duncan is the host. Alongside her is Chiney Ogwumike, the two-time WNBA All-Star who played for Connecticut and Los Angeles. It'll be especially fun when ABC or ESPN gets a Seattle game this summer — Chiney's sister, Nneka, now plays for the Storm after a decorated career with the Sparks.
Rounding out the 'big three' is Andraya Carter. She shone during the 2024 NCAA championship broadcast and was among the last players to sign with Tennessee coach Pat Summitt. Other recurring personalities are Malika Andrews (host of 'NBA Today'), Monica McNutt (studio for the NBA's New York Knicks) and Carolyn Peck (Hall-of-Fame coach with a national title at Purdue).
What you need to watch these games: a broadcast antenna or a TV/streaming plan that includes ABC
Lynx games on ABC (and ESPN+):
For the second straight year, CBS will show eight regular-season WNBA matchups. This channel's 2024 rookie duel between Caitlin Clark's Fever and Angel Reese's Sky was the league's most-watched game in 23 years. CBS Sports will have an additional dozen broadcasts. Commentators include Lisa Byington (voice of the Sky and the Milwaukee Bucks) and Jordan Kent (a three-sport collegiate athlete who played in the NFL and previously did play-by-play for the Portland Trail Blazers).
Advertisement
What you need to watch these games: a TV or streaming plan with CBS or a Paramount+ standalone subscription (starting at $7.99/month)
Lynx games on CBS/CBS Sports Network:
The Scripps network will feature Friday night doubleheaders to kick off each summer weekend. ION also has a WNBA studio show set in Atlanta. Cable vet Larry Smith is the host, and college basketball insiders Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown are in tow for breakdowns.
What you need to watch these games: a broadcast antenna or a TV/streaming plan that includes ION through ABC
Lynx games on ION:
Amazon's streaming service will host several WNBA broadcasts this year as it expands into the sports multiverse. Prime Video will also have the final game of the Commissioner's Cup, an in-season tournament that runs throughout the first half of the regular season.
What you need to watch these games: an Amazon Prime subscription (which starts at $14.99 per month or $139 annually)
Lynx games on Prime Video:
In a fitting cross-promotion, the NBA's in-house channel will simulcast WNBA showcases throughout 2025.
What you need to watch these games: a TV/streaming plan with NBA TV; WNBA League Pass
Lynx games on NBA TV:
What an appropriately stacked squad for a franchise with four WNBA title banners. Napheesa Collier is on pace to join these luminaries, too.
Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo by David Berding / Getty Images)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BetterHelp Joins Forces with Three WNBA Powerhouse Teams as Official Mental Health Partner
BetterHelp Joins Forces with Three WNBA Powerhouse Teams as Official Mental Health Partner

Business Wire

time25 minutes ago

  • Business Wire

BetterHelp Joins Forces with Three WNBA Powerhouse Teams as Official Mental Health Partner

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BetterHelp, the world's largest online therapy platform, today announced multi-year partnerships with the WNBA's 2024 Champion New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings. Tipped off during Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the partnerships align BetterHelp with all three teams on mental health initiatives, and aim to drive critical conversations around the importance of mental wellness, especially among athletes. "The extraordinary rise of women's basketball is more than a sports story. This is a cultural movement reaching millions of passionate fans," said Sara Brooks, Chief Growth Officer at BetterHelp. "But with that spotlight comes pressure, and for elite athletes, peak performance isn't just physical – it's mental. Getting your head in the game means having the support to stay strong, focused, and resilient. BetterHelp's mission to champion mental well-being aligns perfectly with these teams' commitment to supporting their players on and off the court. Whether you're a professional athlete or someone navigating everyday challenges, we're here to remind you: everyone is better with help." The multi-year partnerships will come to life across various channels, including: Connecting teams with licensed therapists through BetterHelp's online platform In-arena experiences designed to promote mental health awareness Digital content series with athletes and coaches featuring raw mental health stories from the locker room to fuel honest and impactful dialogue In-person community events to engage both fans and the local communities to raise awareness around mental health in women's sports Educational tools and resources to empower the next generation of women athletes with mental health skills BetterHelp's official partnerships with the WNBA's New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and Dallas Wings double down on BetterHelp's commitment to breaking down the barriers to mental health care for athletes. During March Madness, BetterHelp solidified its commitment to drive change among this community through its Stop the Madness campaign, which addressed online hate and provided free mental health resources for student-athletes, amplifying wellness conversations and connecting more people with professional support. This announcement represents another powerful step for BetterHelp over the past month to eradicate barriers to mental wellness across the globe: Released its first-ever State of Stigma survey, gathering insights from over 16,000 people across 23 countries to better understand the fears, beliefs, and cultural narratives that continue to hold people back from seeking help. The findings aim to break down barriers to care and ensure people worldwide receive the support they deserve. Expanded its commitment to increasing therapy access through impactful non-profit key partnerships with Six Shout UK, and Be Strong. These collaborations deliver free therapy to underserved communities, frontline mental health workers, and Gen Z students navigating today's challenges. In May, BetterHelp collectively donated over 2,700 months of free therapy. Tapped into the power of storytelling to normalize therapy and reduce stigma. Efforts included an integrated partnership with Peacock's Emerging Artist Series, 'People Like Me,' and the launch of BetterHelp's own podcast, Mind if We Talk?, which debuted with a candid conversation on overcoming imposter syndrome. For more information on these partnerships or to learn more about how to access professional, affordable, and tailored therapy, visit About BetterHelp: BetterHelp was founded in 2013 to remove the traditional barriers to therapy and make mental health care more accessible to everyone. Today, it's the world's largest online therapy service – providing professional, affordable, and tailored therapy in a convenient online format. BetterHelp's network of 30,000 licensed therapists has helped millions of people worldwide take ownership of their mental health and work towards their personal goals. As the unmet need for mental health services persists, BetterHelp is committed to expanding access to therapy globally.

Tom Brady's statue to be unveiled by Patriots in August
Tom Brady's statue to be unveiled by Patriots in August

CBS News

time34 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Tom Brady's statue to be unveiled by Patriots in August

The Patriots have another special day planned for Tom Brady in Foxboro. This time around, the team will unveil a 12-foot bronze statue of the quarterback as New England continues to honor its six-time Super Bowl champion. The Patriots will unveil the statue outside of the team's Hall of Fame at Patriot Place on Friday, August 8, 2025, the team announced Thursday. The ceremony will take place ahead of New England's preseason opener against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. The announcement was made on June 12 -- which the team considers "Tom Brady Day" -- exactly one year after the statue was initially announced at Brady's Patriots Hall of Fame induction. A legacy etched in bronze forever.@TomBrady's statue will be unveiled on 8/8 prior to Patriots vs. Commanders. — New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 12, 2025 The plan was to unveil the Brady statue last season. But given Brady's busy broadcasting schedule – which never brought him back to New England in 2024 – the ceremony was pushed back to 2025. It's finally happening in August, giving New England fans another way to remember and honor their GOAT. Brady was enshrined in the Patriots Hall of Fame last June during a special ceremony inside Gillette Stadium. Over 60,000 fans packed the home of the Patriots to honor Brady, which included plenty of former teammates -- and even former head coach Bill Belichick -- sharing the stage with Brady and telling stories from his incredible career. It was that night the Patriots retired Brady's No. 12 and announced plans for his statue. Brady, of course, completely changed the Patriots franchise when he took over at quarterback early in the 2001 season. The 2000 sixth-round pick replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe in Week 2, and the rest is history. He helped the Patriots win the franchise's first Super Bowl a few months later with a stunning 20-17 upset over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. It started a run of three Super Bowl titles over four seasons, with Brady being named MVP of two of those championship games. Brady led the Patriots to three more Super Bowls (winning two more Super Bowl MVPs) and was NFL MVP three times over his 20-year career in New England. He added another Super Bowl title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing his career total to seven. Brady set Patriots franchise records with 219 regular season wins, 74,751 passing yards, and 541 passing touchdowns. He sits atop the NFL record books with 89,214 passing yards, 649 touchdown passes, and 251 regular-season wins. Brady retired after the 2022 season, and the Patriots waived the usual four-year waiting period to enshrine him in the team's Hall of Fame last summer. In a few months, there will be a giant bronze statue immortalizing the quarterback outside Gillette Stadium.

Why did the Ducks trade for Chris Kreider, and what might come next?
Why did the Ducks trade for Chris Kreider, and what might come next?

New York Times

timean hour ago

  • New York Times

Why did the Ducks trade for Chris Kreider, and what might come next?

General manager Pat Verbeek is taking a peculiar path when it comes from shifting the Anaheim Ducks from a long and painful rebuild into a win-now mode — and moving toward playoffs-or-bust mode. With his trade for the proven and, well, aging goal-scorer Chris Kreider expected to become official on Thursday — for forward prospect Carey Terrance, plus a draft-pick swap — Verbeek apparently is trying to reconstruct the 2022 Eastern Conference finalist New York Rangers to help guide his team toward ending a seven-year postseason drought. Advertisement We're not expecting the Ducks to acquire Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox or Alexis Lafrenière to make Kreider feel completely at home after spending the last 14 years of his hockey life in New York, but the 34-year-old winger should feel more at ease with former teammates Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano already in Anaheim. But Verbeek turning part of the Ducks' roster into Rangers West, at a crucial point in their evolution, is indeed a choice. There is some pressure on Verbeek as he enters his fourth year on the job. Ducks fans have had their patience tested by poor seasons, trade deadline sell-offs, the slow-moving development of high draft picks and best prospects, and a general lack of material progress. He's on his second head coaching hire, so turfing Greg Cronin for Joel Quenneville, despite a 21-point year-over-year improvement in the standings, must be followed by results. Also, usually media-shy owner Henry Samueli all but led the charge into 2025-26 at Quenneville's introductory news conference. The Ducks are armed with what PuckPedia estimates is nearly $39 million of salary-cap space, and Samueli is willing to flex some financial muscle to improve the team. 'We're not going to write stupid checks,' Samueli said last month. 'But I told (Pat), you do what it takes to make this a really steady perennial playoff contender and Stanley Cup contender down the road. And if it means signing big-name free agents, go for it. We told him, going forward, you will not be constrained by the budget.' Which makes their first big move of the summer a curious one. Kreider can still skate well enough to be a threat off the rush, and will give the Ducks a short-handed threat on a penalty-kill unit that needed an upgrade. His biggest presence will come at the net and on the power play, since he's long been effective at screening goalies and finding rebounds. He also has excelled at tipping pucks and redirecting shots, two skills that the Ducks' 30th-ranked offense and dead-last power play can desperately use. Advertisement The red flag here is whether Kreider's 22-goal season — a bad year by his standards, after his 127 goals in his previous three, including his massive 52-goal blowout in 2021-22 — was just one ugly part of the Rangers' team-wide failure, or a bellwether of a dramatic personal decline. Sure, the cap is spiking upward, but the Ducks taking the remaining two seasons of Kreider's deal, at a $6.5 million cap number, won't look good if the winger doesn't put at least 20 to 25 pucks in the net, or if he provides only a negligible impact at five-on-five play or on special teams. The Ducks will like the fact that Kreider's actual salary is lower: $5 million in each season. Samueli has always valued that, more than the AAV, when taking on a contract. While the trade return — Terrance (a second-round pick in 2023) and a third-round draft pick — is hardly a major cost for a big winger with 326 career goals, the Ducks do, in a certain view, come out looking like a contract-dumping ground for Rangers GM Chris Drury, who also sent Trouba and his $8 million contract to Anaheim last December. Of the Ducks' ex-Rangers, Vatrano is the only one who has been highly productive — and Verbeek rewarded the edgy winger with a three-year extension. Kreider must produce, before that Ducks-Rangers connection becomes a damaging narrative. But what really matters for the Ducks in this offseason is this trade being the first in a series of moves to show they are serious about becoming relevant. Kreider's $6.5 million puts only a small dent in the Ducks' available cap space. Each team is gaining an additional $7.5 million for next season, putting the cap ceiling at $95.5 million, and it is expected to rise further, to $104 million in 2026-27 and $113.5 million in 2027-28. But the Ducks must pay core young players in those coming seasons, starting with center Mason McTavish and No. 1 goalie Lukáš Dostál. As pending restricted free agents, McTavish and Dostál need new contracts now. Both are set to get significant raises. McTavish's entry-level deal contained attainable $2.5 million performance bonuses in addition to his $832,500 base salary. Dostál just finished a two-year second contract worth $1.625 million ($812,500 AAV). They also must extend RFA Drew Helleson, and potential new deals for Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger are on the horizon. Advertisement Even with expected pay hikes for McTavish and Dostál, the Ducks are in position to flex their financial might. They have no notable unrestricted free agents this summer. There have been rumblings of a planned entrance into the Mitch Marner sweepstakes, with the contracts for Trouba and team captain Radko Gudas set to end next summer. The Ducks may want to hang onto John Gibson and play him with Dostál in a strong 1A/1B tandem, but trading Gibson and his $6.5 cap number could provide more flexibility if they avoided retaining salary. The roster fit with Kreider may be trickier. A natural left wing, Kreider joins a club with Gauthier, Vatrano and Zegras all playing a lot (or exclusively) there last season. The Ducks have Carlsson and McTavish atop their depth chart down the middle, and they played Strome at center last season. If they're able to somehow land Marner on a massive deal, that would put him with Troy Terry and Alex Killorn on right wing. With or without Marner, the Ducks would surely want Kreider in their top-nine and would consider him for the top-six. Gauthier is on the rise after scoring 20 goalies as a rookie and finishing fifth in Calder Trophy voting. Vatrano has 80 goals in his three Anaheim seasons. Kreider's arrival could put Zegras, who has dealt with injuries the last two seasons and has long been floated in trade rumors, in an uncertain position. (It should be noted that New York native Zegras and Kreider are good friends and offseason training partners, so the Ducks still could try to tap into Zegras's vast upside, particularly with Quenneville now on board.) Verbeek has turned over the Ducks since his hiring in February 2022. Gibson, the last link to their playoff seasons, is just one of five — with Zegras, Terry, Dostál and Isac Lundestrom — to remain with the team since the GM change from Bob Murray. This is Verbeek's team. He's had time now to execute his vision for how Anaheim will be successful. That vision remains incomplete after the trade for Kreider. This should only be the beginning of what promises to be an active summer for the Ducks. The hard part of building a consistent contender remains for Verbeek, but full judgment should be reserved until he has played more of his cards. Kreider might not work, but the Ducks are back in the game. It's about time.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store