Bill Burr has a new favorite league, and he's not about to say sorry for it. The outspoken comedian and Boston native made waves this week by declaring his love for the WNBA during an appearance on Pardon My Take, and he's daring anyone to have a problem with it.
"I (expletive) loved it," Burr said after catching a WNBA playoff game in person. "They hate each other. There's less flopping. Dude, Angel Reese is (expletive) hilarious. They just closed somebody out and she's waving goodbye to them. She's a wrestling heel. I was like, 'I kind of like this.'"
For Burr, the appeal is simple: the WNBA offers a brand of basketball that feels raw, competitive, and refreshingly free of the theatrics that sometimes plague the men's game. And he's not shy about saying it.
A Complete 180
It wasn't long ago that Burr was singing a very different tune. In a 2022 stand-up special, he mocked the league for its lack of attendance and accused women of failing to support it.
"Look at the WNBA: they have been playing in front of 300 to 400 people a night for a quarter of a century," Burr said at the time. "Not to mention, it's a male-subsidized league. We gave you a league and none of you showed up. Where are all the feminists? That place should be packed with feminists — faces painted, wearing jerseys, going (expletive) nuts like the guys do!"
He continued: "None of you went to the (expletive) games. You failed them. Not me. Not men — women failed the WNBA. Ladies, name your Top 5 WNBA players of all time. Name 5 WNBA teams. Name the WNBA team in your city. You can't do it!"
Fast forward to 2025, and Burr's stance has flipped entirely. He's now praising the league's edge, its personalities, and its growing cultural footprint. And he's not offering any mea culpas.
The Numbers Back Him Up
Burr's enthusiasm isn't just hot air. The WNBA is experiencing a surge in popularity, and the ticket market proves it. According to TickPick, the get-in price for Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Valkyries and Dream is $195 — a staggering 748 percent increase from last year's Game 1. The average purchase price sits at $355, the highest in WNBA Finals history.
That kind of demand reflects a league that has finally captured the mainstream's attention, thanks in part to stars like Angel Reese, whose on-court antics and fearless personality have made her a cultural lightning rod. Burr's comparison of Reese to a wrestling heel is spot-on: she embraces the villain role, and fans are eating it up.
Reese's impact has been undeniable, and the data is silencing her critics. For more on that, see the 'Reese Effect' data.
It's not just Reese, either. The WNBA's rising tide has lifted all boats, with players like Caitlin Clark bringing unprecedented attention to the league. Clark's classy exit interview after a tough loss won over fans and critics alike, showing the kind of sportsmanship that defines the league's new era. You can read more about Caitlin Clark's graceful moment.
No Apologies Needed
Burr's evolution is a microcosm of the broader shift in how the WNBA is perceived. What was once a punchline for some comedians is now a must-watch product. The league's physicality, its rivalries, and its unapologetic stars have made it appointment viewing.
And Burr, for one, is here for it. He's not asking for forgiveness from those who remember his old jokes. Instead, he's taunting them with his new fandom, essentially saying: I was wrong, and I'm glad I was.
In a world where athletes and comedians alike face backlash for changing their minds, Burr's refusal to apologize is refreshing. He's not pretending he always felt this way. He's just enjoying the ride — and the WNBA is better for it.
Tipoff for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. If Burr's enthusiasm is any indication, it's going to be must-see TV.
