How to watch the 2025 New York Liberty season: Broadcast info and streaming schedule
The turning of the calendar muddles the memory, especially at the rate life blurs by these days. Maybe you hadn't thought about this transcendent occurrence in a while, and that's alright. But go ahead — today, right now, this very moment, is a great time to rewatch Sabrina Ionescu hitting one of the coldest game-winning shots in the history of organized basketball:
The New York Liberty are defending WNBA champions, the envy of the league for their stacked roster and mascot-turned-demigod. This season should be thoroughly fun, with Ionescu in tow alongside all-world center Breanna Stewart and Finals MVP Jonquel Jones.
But finding and accessing Liberty games gets a bit trickier. The broadcast rotation can be confusing, especially as the league expands its streaming presence. So here's our best effort to make sense of it all. Ensure you're following the Liberty and the WNBA. Senior writer Chantel Jennings is a one-of-one, while Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman each cover the W with creativity, curiosity and unwavering dedication.
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Fubo is a cable-cutting streaming platform that offers local and national channels, along with add-on sports packages. Any regional game on WNYW or WWOR 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: The 'pro' plan starts at $84.99 per month, with an additional charge for 4K Ultra HD.
Every team has a regional sports network, or RSN, that carries local matchups. WNYW and its sister station, WWOR, are the tri-state affiliates that host all non-national Liberty action.
Fitting for the biggest market in the country, New York's regional sportscast is loaded with talent. Michael Grady did play-by-play here last season; he's now reportedly tapped in as the voice of the WNBA for Amazon Prime's new media deal. Chris Shearn (MLB's New York Yankees), John Fanta (NCAA's Seton Hall) and Zora Stephenson (a rising star on the mic and a former college hooper at Elon) are also in the play-by-play rotation. The recent preseason matchups were handled by Jonathan Edmond and Dominiqué Patrick (G League's Long Island Nets). It's a young group, with a welcome mix of cool and earnestness for the expanding audience.
From Marv Albert and Mike Breen to Doris Burke and Ryan Ruocco, this market sends stars out into the national basketball landscape. Bank on seeing at least one of these folks in future primetime.
The team also has an in-market on-demand app called Liberty Live. This is a solution for fans that live in the area and don't have a cable package (or if your specific carrier doesn't have WNYW/WWOR).
What you need to watch these games: Fubo, DirecTV Stream (starting $80-90 monthly), Liberty Live app ($4.99/month or $14.99 for the season).
What you need to watch these games: A cable or satellite package that includes WNYW (Fox, channel 5) or WWOR (MyNetworkTV, channel 9).
Are you a Breanna Stewart loyalist who bridged over from Seattle Storm-dom? Do you simply need more Ellie the Elephant step routines in your life? WNBA League Pass is the answer here. The subscription covers every out-of-market regional broadcast for the regular season. Blackout restrictions are in effect (frustratingly), so folks within the Liberty's designated market won't be able to stream Liberty games live on League Pass. Nationally-televised games are also blacked out on the app, a consideration specifically for fans of teams with heavy national TV schedules.
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 'WNBA on ESPN' 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.
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UConn legend and Hartford hero 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. Holly Rowe is the lead sideline reporter; she talks to players and coaches after the final buzzer.
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 or an ESPN+ standalone subscription, which includes ABC games (starting at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually).
Liberty games on ESPN:
There will be a record 13 regular-season WNBA games on ABC, plus the 2025 All-Star Game. Conference Finals and Finals play will be split between ABC and ESPN, which share the same ownership (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 balled 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 shined during the 2024 NCAA championship broadcast (which drew more viewers than the men's game), and she was one of 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).
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What you need to watch these games: Free with a broadcast antenna.
Liberty games on ABC (and ESPN+):
For the second straight year, CBS' main network 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 (a voice of the Sky and the Milwaukee Bucks) and Jordan Kent (a three-sport collegiate athlete who played in the NFL and used to do play-by-play for the Portland Trail Blazers).
What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with CBS or a Paramount+ standalone subscription (starting at $7.99/month).
Liberty games on CBS:
The Scripps network will have Friday night doubleheaders to jump-start each summer weekend. The first one (May 16) is an absolute banger, with Paige Bueckers' official debut followed by the inaugural Golden State Valkyries game. 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: Free with a broadcast antenna.
Liberty 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: Free with an Amazon Prime subscription (which starts at $14.99 per month or $139 annually).
Liberty games on Prime Video:
In a fitting cross-promotion, the NBA's in-house channel will simulcast WNBA showcases throughout 2025. Unsurprisingly, our seaform heroes are all over this schedule.
What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with NBA TV or WNBA League Pass.
Liberty games on NBA TV:
Streaming and betting/odds 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 Elsa / Getty Images)
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