Friday, November 6, 2026

WNBA Draft Is ESPN’s Most-Viewed in 19 Years

  • Viewership for this year’s draft was up 42% compared to last year’s event.
  • The WNBA Draft comes from one of the most memorable and historic NCAA women’s college basketball seasons.
WNBA Draft ratings.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Monday’s WNBA Draft on ESPN was the league’s most-viewed draft since 2004, and the second-most viewed WNBA Draft on record. 

ESPN said 572,000 viewers tuned into this week’s draft, which saw the Indiana Fever select South Carolina star Aliyah Boston with the first-overall pick. Viewership for this year’s draft was up 42% compared to ESPN’s coverage of the 2022 WNBA Draft, which averaged 403,000 viewers. 

Viewership for the league is on the upswing after last year’s season was the most-viewed on ESPN since 2006. Improved ratings could result in continued benefits felt by WNBA players, such as an expanded charter flight program that will debut this upcoming season. 

The Draft comes from one of the most memorable and historic NCAA women’s college basketball seasons after LSU defeated Iowa in the national title game.

The tournament garnered record ratings during March Madness. Despite not being eligible for the WNBA Draft, LSU’s Angel Reese and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark helped bring momentum to the sport.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 14, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream vice president Renee Montgomery watches a game against the Indiana Fever in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park

Renee Montgomery Cautions Friends Running for WNBA Commissioner

She says “it’s not a job that gives you love back.”
Oct 31, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries players hold the trophy after winning the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center

WNBA Finals Game 7 Draws 3.3M Viewers

The series averaged nearly 1.9 million viewers, the most for a Finals.

New York Liberty Fire Chris DeMarco After One Year

The Liberty were swept by the Dream in the semifinals.

Valkyries Win WNBA Title in Second Season

It’s the last Finals appearance for WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/6/26 – LIV Golf Is Over, LeBron vs. Bron AI App, Pegula’s Hot-Mic Moment

0:00

Featured Today

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.

College Football’s Loaded Saturday Sets Up Huge Day for ABC, ESPN

The networks will broadcast five top-25 matchups Saturday.
Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman during halftime at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
November 5, 2026

Julian Edelman: Foxborough ‘Will Be Rocking’ for Tom Brady’s Return

Brady will be calling a Patriots game for the first time.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
First at FOS
November 6, 2026

Dianna Russini Set to Return to Media: What We Know

Russini’s new content is expected to be sponsored by gambling operators.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
ESPN analyst Pat McAfee broadcasts live from the sidelines of Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA prior to the start of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game on November 15, 2025.
Opinion
November 5, 2026

How Did Pat McAfee Get So Polarizing?

Some of the criticism is self-inflicted. Some of it is unfair.
November 4, 2026

College Football TV Ratings Remain Down 11% Through October

Four games total have drawn an audience of 10 million or higher.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
November 3, 2026

ESPN Hires The Athletic Editorial Director Sergio Gonzalez

The move comes three months after ESPN eliminated Roxanna Scott’s editor-in-chief role.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) talks to CW sports after the game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, November 22, 2025.
First at FOS
November 3, 2026

The CW Eyes TNT Sports Rights and More CFP Games

TNT Sports’s portfolio includes the NHL, MLB, and French Open.