By the Numbers: MAY 2025
Women's sports had an incredible month with record-breaking moments at every turn. Here are the numbers from a month packed with historic performances, sold-out crowds, and major milestones across our favorite leagues and athletes.
10,518
Team USA took on Canada at CPKC stadium, setting a new attendance record for a USA women’s rugby match, with 10,518 fans in the stands.
12.17
Masai Russell broke the American record for the 100m hurdles, posting a time of 12.17s.
10,518
Team USA took on Canada at CPKC stadium, setting a new attendance record for a USA women’s rugby match, with 10,518 fans in the stands.
12.17
Masai Russell broke the American record for the 100m hurdles, posting a time of 12.17s.
:55
Gretchen Walsh swam the first sub-:55 second 100m butterfly in the history of the sport.
400K
The Pro Volleyball Federation broke its attendance record from the inaugural season, welcoming 400,000+ fans over the course of the 2025 season.
:55
Gretchen Walsh swam the first sub-:55 second 100m butterfly in the history of the sport.
400K
The Pro Volleyball Federation broke its attendance record from the inaugural season, welcoming 400,000+ fans over the course of the 2025 season.
5
A’ja Wilson’s A’Ones shoe release made history in more ways than one. The release marks the first signature shoe for a Black woman since Candace Parker’s Adidas release in 2010-2011 — but the shoe also sold out in less than five minutes.
1.3M
The Indiana Fever’s preseason game against the Brazilian National Team reeled in 1.3M viewers — a 17% increase over last year’s regular-season viewership average.
5
A’ja Wilson’s A’Ones shoe release made history in more ways than one. The release marks the first signature shoe for a Black woman since Candace Parker’s Adidas release in 2010-2011 — but the shoe also sold out in less than five minutes.
1.3M
The Indiana Fever’s preseason game against the Brazilian National Team reeled in 1.3M viewers — a 17% increase over last year’s regular-season viewership average.
145%
Ticket sales have surged by 145% heading into the 2025 WNBA season — with all twelve of last year’s franchises showing improvement.
18,064
18,064 fans filled Chase Center for the Golden State Valkyries’ first home game, setting a new attendance record for a WNBA franchise debut.
145%
Ticket sales have surged by 145% heading into the 2025 WNBA season — with all twelve of last year’s franchises showing improvement.
18,064
18,064 fans filled Chase Center for the Golden State Valkyries’ first home game, setting a new attendance record for a WNBA franchise debut.
603.156
Teacher and ultrarunner Megan Eckert set a new distance record during the Six Days of France ultrarunning race, completing 603.156 miles. The previous race record was 560.33 miles.
3.1M
The opening weekend of the WNBA on ESPN peaked at 3.1M viewers, marking a 115% increase over last year’s broadcast. The pre-game show, WNBA Countdown, also improved, up 26% over 2024 opening weekend viewership.
603.156
Teacher and ultrarunner Megan Eckert set a new distance record during the Six Days of France ultrarunning race, completing 603.156 miles. The previous race record was 560.33 miles.
3.1M
The opening weekend of the WNBA on ESPN peaked at 3.1M viewers, marking a 115% increase over last year’s broadcast. The pre-game show, WNBA Countdown, also improved, up 26% over 2024 opening weekend viewership.
14,423
A record 14,423 fans attended the 2025 women’s NCAA lacrosse title game, shattering the previous record by more than 3K spectators. The University of North Carolina won the national championship, completing a 22-0undefeated season.
79.4
Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens set the record for fastest pitch in college softball history twice this season, throwing at 79.4 MPH in the Super Regionals.
14,423
A record 14,423 fans attended the 2025 women’s NCAA lacrosse title game, shattering the previous record by more than 3K spectators. The University of North Carolina won the national championship, completing a 22-0undefeated season.
79.4
Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens set the record for fastest pitch in college softball history twice this season, throwing at 79.4 MPH in the Super Regionals.
5
The playoff match between the Ottawa Charge and Montreal Victoire broke the record for the longest game in PWHL history after an incredibly competitive 4OT marathon that lasted over five hours.
$450M
The New York Liberty are now the highest-valued team in women’s sports history after a new fundraising round put their valuation at $450M.
5
The playoff match between the Ottawa Charge and Montreal Victoire broke the record for the longest game in PWHL history after an incredibly competitive 4OT marathon that lasted over five hours.
$450M
The New York Liberty are now the highest-valued team in women’s sports history after a new fundraising round put their valuation at $450M.
