• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 12, 2025

NBA Draft Ratings Stay Strong Despite Lack of Star Power

  • France had a native drafted No. 1 overall in back-to-back years.
  • The NBA split the draft into two nights for the first time. 
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

No Wemby, no problem. 

Despite a lack of star power at the top of the 2024 NBA draft, this year’s ratings surpassed last year’s two-round broadcast.

According to Sports Media Watch, the first round of the draft, which aired Wednesday, averaged 4.4 million viewers across ABC and ESPN, peaking at 5.5 million. It’s an 18% increase from the 2023 draft, which averaged 3.7 million viewers. 

But context is key: 4.9 million viewers watched the first round of the 2023 draft, per SMW, before many tuned out for the second round. 

The old format of the draft would extend into early Friday morning while Wednesday’s first round concluded shortly after 11:15 p.m., an hour earlier than before. 

The 2023 draft was highlighted by the Spurs’ drafting Victor Wembanyama first overall. The 7-foot-4 French center was the most-hyped prospect since the drafting of LeBron James 20 years earlier. This year it was another Frenchman going first overall in Zaccharie Risacher, but he didn’t have a fraction of the hype Wembanyama did going into the draft. 

With the NBA splitting the draft into two days, it will be interesting to see what the ratings were for Thursday’s second round, given the lack of precedent and factors working against it. The second round’s start time was moved out of Thursday prime time to 4 p.m. to accommodate the presidential debate later that evening. While the first round didn’t have the star power of 2023, the second round saw the selection of Bronny James, the eldest son of LeBron, 55th overall to the Lakers, putting them one step closer to being the league’s first active father-son duo. 

While not a perfect comparison, the second and third day of the 2024 NFL draft averaged 3.3 and 5.5 million reviewers, respectively, both roughly 33% decreases from the prior draft. It’s hard to see the NBA coming anywhere close to those numbers—among many other factors, NFL second-rounders routinely become stars, while NBA second-rounders often never appear in a single game.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
NFL

30 NFL Second-Rounders Still Unsigned With Camps Set to Open

Saturday is the earliest rookie report date for training camp.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.