In an unprecedented turn of events, the highly anticipated WNBA season opener between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, scheduled for May 17, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, will not be televised due to a significant technical glitch. This matchup, featuring star players Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, was set to be a marquee event, drawing massive attention from basketball fans nationwide. The news has sparked frustration among viewers and raised questions about the reliability of broadcast infrastructure for major sporting events.
The game, originally slated for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off and scheduled to air on ABC, was expected to be a ratings juggernaut. According to reports, the technical issue originated from a failure in the broadcast feed system managed by the network’s production team. Sources indicate that a critical server malfunction disrupted the ability to transmit live footage from the arena, and despite efforts to resolve the issue, the network was unable to restore the feed in time. As a result, the decision was made to cancel the live broadcast, leaving fans reliant on streaming platforms and social media updates for coverage.
This glitch is particularly disappointing given the Fever-Sky rivalry’s growing prominence. Last season, games between these teams, fueled by the Clark-Reese dynamic, shattered viewership records, with one matchup becoming the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years. The 2025 opener was poised to continue this trend, with Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, facing off against Reese, the league’s top rebounder from last season. The game also marked the regular-season debut of new Sky head coach Tyler Marsh and the return of Fever coach Stephanie White, adding further intrigue.
Fans expressed their dismay on social media, with many calling for accountability from the network and the league. “This is unacceptable for a game of this magnitude,” one X user posted. “Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese deserve better, and so do the fans.” Others noted that streaming options like ESPN+ were also affected, as the platform relies on the same broadcast feed. Some fans suggested that the WNBA should have contingency plans, such as backup broadcast systems or local radio coverage, to mitigate such disruptions.
The WNBA has yet to release an official statement, but insiders suggest the league is working with ABC to investigate the issue and prevent future occurrences. For now, ticket holders at Gainbridge Fieldhouse remain unaffected, as the game will proceed as planned for in-person attendees. However, the absence of a televised broadcast is a significant blow to the league’s visibility, especially during a season expected to build on last year’s record-breaking viewership.
This incident underscores the challenges of modern sports broadcasting, where technical reliability is paramount. As the WNBA continues to grow, ensuring robust infrastructure will be critical to sustaining its momentum. Fans can only hope that future games, including the next Fever-Sky matchup on May 27, will proceed without a hitch, delivering the electrifying basketball they’ve come to expect.
