Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the no. 1 overall pick to the Indiana Fever during the 2024 WNBA Draft. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2024 WNBA Draft draws eye-popping viewership numbers

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 4/16/24

The WNBA learned a valuable lesson on Monday night. When Caitlin Clark is on television, people watch.

The 2024 WNBA Draft drew a record 2.4 million viewers, which, according to Joe Pompliano, marks a 300 percent increase in audience.

The WNBA Draft averaged 2.4 million viewers on ESPN — a 300% increase from the previous all-time high.

• 2022: 403,000
• 2023: 572,000
• 2024: 2.4 million

It's also the league's largest audience — of any kind — in 20+ years.

The growth trend continues pic.twitter.com/V7dzYiC6M7
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 16, 2024

Sports Business Journal's Austin Karp noted how the league's draft compared to similar recent events held by the NBA, MLB and NHL. Of course, the NFL operates in its own stratosphere.

I cannot wrap my head around these numbers any longer.

2.4 million viewers for the WNBA Draft on Monday on ESPN (first time over 1 million)

NBA Draft did 3.7 million in 2023 on ABC/ESPN

MLB Draft was 744,000 on ESPN/MLB Net in 2023

NHL Draft was 681,000 on ESPN last year pic.twitter.com/D5iG2cY0ZE
— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) April 16, 2024

Clark's selection was largely a formality, as everyone knew beforehand what the Fever were going to do with the first pick.

It speaks to Clark's star power, as well as other top 10 picks, including Cameron Brink and Angel Reese, that the draft captivated such a large audience.

The viewership numbers for Monday night's event suggest the league could break records when the regular season tips off on May 14.

Last week, the WNBA revealed that 36 of Indiana's 40 games will air on national television.

Fans will also be interested to see what the frontcourt pairing of former SEC rivals Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese in Chicago looks like, as well as how quickly rookies Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson make an impact for the rebuilding Sparks.

The outstanding rookie class might drive viewership numbers, but it should also help draw attention to the league's top veterans, including A'ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Alyssa Thomas and Jewell Loyd, to name a few.

With other future stars on the horizon, including UConn's Paige Bueckers, eventually USC's JuJu Watkins and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, the hype surrounding the WNBA will continue expanding.

Monday night was just a taste of what the league can expect for seasons to come.

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