Going Digital: NFL & WNBA Drafts Put Up Record Numbers Virtually
Tyasha Harris Drafted as the 7th Overall Pick to the Dallas Wings | Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images
By: Baigen Seawell
“For the first time in what feels like forever, a real live sporting event.” said ESPN Analyst, Schefter on the 2020 NFL Draft.
What Schefter failed to realize was his own employer broadcasted the first virtual draft on April 17, a week prior. The WNBA delivered their most watched draft in 16 years. The league garnered a viewership of 6.5 million, despite the new format and unsure expectations that would come along with it.
The fly-on-the-wall view into prospects’ homes, coaches and GMs makeshift workspaces, the virtual draft has been an interesting look into the ins and outs of how front offices make things happen despite everything going against them.
The WNBA
The WNBA saw a 237 percent increase in minutes watched from the previous year. Aside from the numbers, the 2020 WNBA Draft Class has some talent that people are eager to see on the court. Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu would be the first pick, taking her talents to the New York Liberty. Ionescu, closed out with over 2,000 career points, and an all-time leader in assists, steals and triple-doubles.
Aside from Ionescu, and the Ducks, the University of South Carolina had back-to-back picks from their SEC Championship team. Mikiah Harrigan and Tyasha Harris take the sixth and seventh picks overall, going to Minnesota and Dallas Respectively.
The League would also take a moment to honorarily draft Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant, and Payton Chester, the three Mamba Academy teammates lost from the 2020 Calabasas Helicopter Crash. Bryant was the daughter of Laker Kobe Bryant, who also lost his life in the crash.
Though the WNBA is considered to gather less attention than the NFL, the success and growth in numbers from the League being put on the main stage is a testament to the longing for the return of sports. At the same time, it shows a potential in what the WNBA could be if the stage was set for them this way more.
The NFL
Six days later, the NFL opened their virtual draft with 15.6 million viewers. This broke the all-time viewership record. To add, the SEC would tally up a record number of 15 players in the first round alone.
The 2020 Draft Class highlights LSU Tiger and Heisman Trophy Winner Joe Burrow coming in as the first pick overall to Cincinnati. Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III would be the first pick to go to the newly relocated Las Vegas Raiders, and twelfth overall. The Packers go with an eye-opening pick, selecting Quarterback Jordan Love to join Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
The draft has gathered attention from sports fans anxiously waiting on sports to make its reappearance. Being one of the largest sports markets, the league is expected to start in late August. Questions are still up in the air with a few months until the final 53-man roster is finalized.
Where We Stand With Sports
Although we closed out with two sporting events in what seems like forever, we felt a sense of normalcy for a moment. However there isn’t a clear date of when sports like will come back. The WNBA was projected to start May 15, 2020 but with news of a second wave being ‘inevitable’ according to health officials, it is unclear.
To add, the WNBA has been making moves before and after the close of the draft. With player transactions still taking place, the uncertainty for WNBA basketball is apparent for front offices and players alike. But, if given the platform when given the all clear, they may garner the well deserved attention they’ve been battling for.
For the NFL, Goodell has met with political leaders on what may be the best way to keep the season on track while preserving the health of athletes and spectators. The timeline is a bit longer for them, but the uncertainty is still apparent, not wanting to come back too prematurely.
The NFL officially released the 2020 schedule. The WNBA and their male counterpart are still in limbo, with the NBA issuing voluntary practices with the lifting of quarantine practices in some states. Though it seems to be a glimmer of hope, players are reluctant to return, and sports fans are hopeful to see competition return swiftly and safely.
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