The 2025 WNBA draft is still making noise as one of the most dramatic, impactful, yet sophisticated drafts ever. Despite Paige Bueckers, Dominique Malonga, Juste Jocyte, and Georgia Amoore transitioning into the pros, the event leaves little room for comparison with the previous year except for one thing. That’s right, the viewership. With a total of 1.46 million views, neither the first overall pick nor The Shed could garner attention like the previous year’s W draft.
Meanwhile, the 2024 draft stood out for a couple of reasons. With the former Iowa Hawkeye star becoming an overall first pick and inducting into the Indiana Fever, the event viewership saw a massive worldwide reach of 3.09 million views. One year later, and guess what! Even Bueckers couldn’t shake off the Caitlin Clark effect, which still rules the air.
Hinting at this year’s reach, national reporter and co-host of the No-Offseason podcast, Sabreena Merchant, said, “I think the viewership number really popped to me. I mean, I know we were expecting it not to quite hit what last year’s 2024 draft hit with Caitlyn Clark and all of the momentum after the Iowa–South Carolina national title game. But for it to still reach 1.25 million viewers—I think it peaked at about 1.46 million viewers, like that is so much more than any other draft had been other than last year, so, wow!”
Apr 15, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Caitlin Clark poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the number one overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
She expressed that the reach concerning women’s drafts has managed to gain fine momentum over the past couple of years. The expectations set by the 2024 WNBA draft create the illusion of low numbers. But honestly? These numbers are incredible. The numbers represent the global recognition that women’s sports have been receiving. “I realise we’re tempering expectations after what happened in 2024. But to still see so much momentum after that tournament into this draft, into what I think is going to be an awesome WNBA season, was very very cool,” she added.
Despite a banal performance in the total views, the 2025 W event managed to outdo itself in New York. Held at the nation’s fashion capital this year saw some of the most outstanding orange carpet looks to watch out for. The NYC brought out the sophistication of the sporting event, as the event hosted some of the most impactful and unforgettable college athletes on April 14.
2025 WNBA draft crushing NHL & MLB in terms of viewership
This year’s WNBA draft revolved around Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. After all, the no.1 picks have so much in common! Though both celebrities boast of a massive fan base, Bueckers has drawn lesser media attention as compared to her Fever competitor.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
But on the bright side? The 2025 W draft showed more numbers in terms of viewership as compared to the first round of MLB Draft and the 2024 NHL—garnering an average of 1.25 million, 863k and 502k respectively. Not to mention, this year’s W Draft was the most viewed TV program among others, within the demography of 18-34 years bracket. Did you know before 2024 the W draft viewership never crossed 600k? Just by looking at these figures, one can tell the growth and attention women’s basketball has received in just a span of 2 years. Now, coming back to the Indiana Fever no.1 pick and Dallas Wings no. 1 pick.
While Clark’s fans claim that the opponent doesn’t possess enough ‘basketball charisma’, Bueckers will have to push through these obstacles to really build a strong media presence and surround herself with people who can motivate and propel her into achieving the kind of attention that she truly deserves. Now, keeping the viewership and popularity aside, no one can deny that both Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are two powerhouses of women’s basketball.
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