ESPN delivered the 2nd most-watched WNBA Draft EVER
đ 1.5M viewers tuned in to Monday's '26 presentation, up 20% YoY
đ Peak 1.8M
Details: pic.twitter.com/OJvFTRf8gS
â ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) April 15, 2026
The 2026 WNBA Draft certainly wasnât short of storylines, which absolutely plays into ESPNâs massive TV ratings. Roughly 1.5 million fans watched the eveningâs draft coverage as the Dallas Wings secured Fudd with their first pick.
Meanwhile, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert became a viral topic of her own for all the wrong reasons after awkwardly attacking a reporterâs question. Engelbert was simply asked how long she intends on staying on as WNBA commissioner after taking the job in 2019.
However, the 61 year old quickly drew outrage online after questioning the reporterâs motives.
âI do crack up how everybodyâs focused on me, and you should be focused on the hundreds of amazing women and thousands of women who run this league outside of myself,â Engelbert said, via USA Today.
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