2025 WNBA Draft Achieves Milestone Ratings with 1.25 Million Viewers
The 2025 WNBA Draft attracted 1.25 million viewers. It became the league’s second-most watched draft. Although viewership dropped from last year’s record, it still hit a strong peak: 1.46 million viewers, ESPN reported.
Last year, Caitlin Clark—picked first by the Indiana Fever—drew great attention. This year, the draft did not reach those heights. Yet it still joined a rare group by surpassing 1 million viewers.
UConn guard Paige Bueckers led the draft as the first pick by the Dallas Wings. Her season, which lifted her team to a national championship, impressed many. Bueckers now shines as one of college women’s basketball’s top stars. Her pick stands as a clear link in the chain that connects rising talent to big opportunities.
The draft mirrors a larger trend in women’s basketball. A thrilling NCAA Tournament increased viewer numbers. In the championship game, UConn beat South Carolina and grabbed 8.5 million viewers. This win further ties fan excitement to the sport’s growing appeal.
In the week before the draft, Final Four matchups averaged 3.9 million viewers. These matches and the NIL deals many top players secure show how close performance and marketing now work together. Paige Bueckers, for example, has an On3 NIL valuation of $1.5 million. This close tie between college sports and endorsements builds a new bridge for young athletes.
Former TCU standout Hailey Van Lith also stepped into the spotlight. The Chicago Sky chose her as the No. 11 pick. Her selection shows the quick bond between high-profile players and the professional ranks.
With the WNBA season set to begin mid-May, the league aims to keep college fans close. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, "NIL helped raise profiles with big brands. When these players join the WNBA, partners like Ally step up with endorsements. Now NIL in pros is all about endorsements."
This clear link of college success and professional promotion shows how the sport grows. The simple ties between strong play and smart marketing build a solid fan base and a bright future for women’s basketball.
