BRISTOL, Conn. — In a historic shift for American sports broadcasting, ESPN has officially announced the launch of “Women’s Sports Sundays,” a new primetime franchise that will replace its long-standing Sunday Night Baseball slot starting in the summer of 2026. The move, confirmed Sunday, February 22, 2026, signals a major pivot in the network’s strategy as it capitalizes on the surging popularity of the WNBA and NWSL.
A New Era for Sunday Night Primetime
For decades, Sunday night on ESPN was synonymous with Major League Baseball. However, following the conclusion of the league’s previous media deal, the network is moving in a different direction. The new “Women’s Sports Sundays” will serve as a weekly primetime showcase, placing top-tier women’s professional sports in the most coveted television real estate.
Industry analysts note that the decision follows record-breaking viewership numbers for women’s basketball and soccer over the past two years. By dedicating a consistent weekly window to these leagues, ESPN aims to provide a permanent platform for a demographic that has historically been underserved in primetime cable slots.
Latest Sports Headlines and Analysis
Beyond the programming overhaul, ESPN’s news desk remains active with several major developments across the professional sports landscape:
- NFL Offseason Buzz: Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his latest quarterback rankings, notably placing LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier lower than many expected. Meanwhile, Field Yates has unveiled his 5.0 Mock Draft, projecting significant defensive line reinforcements for the New York Jets.
- NBA Updates: Commissioner Adam Silver has reportedly informed general managers of impending anti-tanking rule changes set for next season. On the court, the Los Angeles Lakers expect a fully healthy roster, including Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, for their upcoming clash against the Clippers.
- MLB Labor News: In a shocking development, MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark has resigned following an internal investigation into personal conduct.
- Olympic Gold: In international news, Megan Keller’s overtime goal secured a 2-1 victory for the U.S. Women’s Hockey team over Canada, clinching Olympic gold in a thrilling 3-on-3 finish.
The Evolution of the “Worldwide Leader”
Founded on September 7, 1979, by Bill Rasmussen, ESPN has evolved from a niche 24-hour cable experiment into a global media empire. Currently majority-owned by The Walt Disney Company (80%) with Hearst holding a 20% stake, the network continues to navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape.
While traditional cable viewership hit a 12-month high in January 2026 according to Nielsen, ESPN is increasingly focused on its direct-to-consumer offerings. Public sentiment on platforms like Reddit suggests a growing preference for the ease of ESPN+ and integrated streaming packages, though some fans remain nostalgic for the “no-blackout” era of previous digital iterations.
As the network prepares for the 2026 NFL free agency period—with analysts like Bill Barnwell already proposing blockbuster trades for stars like Kyler Murray and A.J. Brown—ESPN’s shift toward women’s sports in primetime marks perhaps its boldest programming gamble since the launch of ESPN2 in the 1990s.