Airing on the primary ESPN network, and with zero sports competition anywhere, the WNBA Draft hit a six-year viewership high.
Friday’s WNBA Draft averaged 378,000 viewers on ESPN, up 59% from last year (243K) and up 26% from 2018 (308K), both of which aired on ESPN2 opposite a full slate of opposing sporting events.
The telecast, which saw Oregon G Sabrina Ionescu picked #1 by the New York Liberty, ranks as the most-watched WNBA Draft since 2014, when Chiney Ogwumike was taken first overall (413K).
Keep in mind that in previous years, only the first round of the draft would air on ESPN/ESPN2, with the remaining rounds on ESPNU. With those ESPNU numbers included, this year’s draft was the most-watched since Diana Taurasi was picked first in 2004 (601K).
The draft averaged slightly more viewers than the conclusion of the NBA HORSE Challenge on ESPN the previous night (372K). It came close to last year’s five-game WNBA Finals average on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 (381K).
Airing immediately following the draft, a re-air of last year’s Connecticut-Washington WNBA Finals Game 5 averaged 155,000.
The WNBA Draft was originally scheduled to air on ESPN2 but was moved up to ESPN. It was ESPN’s first traditional live sporting event since a UFC main event on March 14.
WNBA Draft viewership, past ten editions
| Year | Time | Net | Top Pick | Vwrs |
| 2020 | 8:00p | ESPN | Ionescu | 378K |
| 2019 | 7:00p | ESPN2 | Young | 243K |
| 2018 | 7:00p | ESPN2 | Wilson | 308K |
| 2017 | 7:00p | ESPN2 | Plum | 273K |
| 2016 | 7:00p | ESPN2 | Stewart | 254K |
| 2015 | 7:00p | ESPN2 | Loyd | 278K |
| 2014 | 8:00p | ESPN2 | C. Ogwumike | 413K |
| 2013* | 8:00p | ESPN2 | Griner | 379K |
| 2012 | 2:00p | ESPN2 | N. Ogwumike | 189K |
| 2011 | 3:00p | ESPN | Moore | 292K |
* 2013 draft aired during breaking news coverage.
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 4.20]
