The 2020 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm on ESPN finished as the most-watched WNBA Draft in 16 years and the second most-watched in ESPN’s history. This year’s event, which was held virtually in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, averaged 387,000 viewers on ESPN, up 123% over the 2019 Draft, and up 33% from the last time it aired on the network in 2011. The 2020 Draft also made an impact across WNBA and NBA social media handles, generating 6.5 million video views (up 165% vs. last year) and 1.3 million minutes watched (up 237% vs. last year).
PROGRAMMING
Updating the event schedule as a result of COVID-19, the Professional Fighters League officially postponed its 2020 season on Monday because of the global impact of the coronavirus. The PFL is the first major MMA organization to formally announce a plan for the rest of 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus. PFL CEO Peter Murray told ESPN that the PFL will refocus on live events in 2021, while exploring the possibility of one-off special events.