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

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UPDATED April 12, 2023 | 09:42 pm
  • 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

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.

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