WNBA Draft 2024 Red Carpet Arrivals Photos, Live Updates: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese & More (2024)

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How many people watched the WNBA draft? ›

The draft drew about 2.45 million viewers on ESPN on Monday, which made it by far the most-watched WNBA Draft of all time, the network announced on Tuesday night. The previous record was set back in 2004 when Diana Taurasi was first selected, but that draft drew just more than 600,000 viewers.

The Caitlin Clark experience delivered another television milestone as ESPN's coverage of the WNBA draft on Monday night averaged a record 2.45 million viewers. Viewership peaked at 3.09 million, ESPN said in a release Tuesday.

The 2024 draft drew 2.45 million viewers on ESPN Monday night and peaked at 3.09 million. It was the most-viewed WNBA draft ever and the most-viewed WNBA event on ESPN platforms.

WNBA broadcasts averaged 627,000 viewers on ABC, which made it the most-viewed regular season on the network in 11 years. This year's WNBA All-Star game on ABC was the most watched in 16 years, averaging 850,000 viewers and gaining a peak audience of 955,000 viewers.

The second, third and fourth picks in this year's draft will also earn $76,535 their first year, according to the league's collective bargaining agreement. The base annual pay for all four athletes will see only a modest rise over the next few years — $78,066 in 2025, $85,873 in 2026 and $97,582 in 2027.

Caitlin Clark went No. 1 in the WNBA draft. Some fans are outraged at her salary. The University of Iowa star is set to make $338,000 on a four-year rookie deal, compared to $55 million for the No. 1 pick in last year's NBA draft.