CNBC will simulcast 11 WNBA games this season

The WNBA is expanding its presence to CNBC.

CNBC-Parent Versant The business news network will simulcast 11 WNBA games this season, it announced Wednesday. The matches will also be broadcast on Versant’s USA Network.

Last September, Versant and the WNBA announced an 11-year media rights agreement that includes regular season and postseason games. As part of the deal, USA Network will broadcast at least 50 games per year.

Coverage on CNBC begins Wednesday night as the defending champion Las Vegas Aces take on the Phoenix Mercury at 10 p.m. ET. This game is the second of a two-game set with the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky kicking off at 8pm ET on USA Network.

The goal of the simulcast is to ensure fans don’t miss any of the action, according to US Sports President Matt Hong. Since doubleheaders can sometimes last so long, a simulcast will allow viewers to choose which game to tune in to if they are overlapping.

The simulcast will also showcase the WNBA to an affluent audience on CNBC as the league seeks to capitalize on burgeoning popularity.

Wednesday also marks Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s debut as a Versant athlete contributor. She will participate in studio coverage of both games of the doubleheader on both networks.

The simulcast agreement marks a new chapter for CNBC as it explores new revenue streams and navigates the company’s separation from its former parent, Comcast.

While CNBC has previously carried Olympic events and occasional golf events, the WNBA simulcast represents an additional push toward live sports for the cable channel.

This could help Versant in future distribution deals with pay TV providers. Versant is now negotiating these carriage deals on its own after previously tying its programming to NBCUniversal when it was part of Comcast.

Versant’s brands also include MS Now, E! , SyFy and Oxygen, as well as digital platforms Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass.

The company handles several other professional sports leagues including NASCAR, PGA Tour, LPGA, Pac-12 football and basketball.

Disclosure: Versant is the parent company of CNBC.