The WNBA Draft shifts its venue from Manhattan to Brooklyn, marking the first opportunity for fans to attend since the drafts held at Mohegan Sun Arena from 2014 to 2016.
It's official. The 28th WNBA annual draft presented by State Farm, will relocate to Brooklyn.
As the WNBA's popularity continues to soar, the Draft will feature a plethora of events. This year, 1000 fans will have the chance to witness the draft live, marking the first occurrence since the 2014-2016 season. That being said, the event is scheduled to occur on April 15th at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).
Why not shine the spotlight on some of the most talented athletes in the world in front of their fans? This move by the WNBA, spearheaded by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, is nothing short of brilliant.
1,000 fortunate fans will be given the chance to attend the draft.
For fans, this provides a firsthand and up-close experience, a rarity not seen in eight years. According to the WNBA, tickets will be available to the public starting from March 7. Following in the footsteps of the NBA, the WNBA is prioritizing its fans, spotlighting the exceptional talent in this year's draft.
Moreover, Iowa sensation Caitlin Clark is eligible to declare for the draft, adding to the anticipation. Alongside Clark, a wealth of talent is poised for the upcoming season, igniting excitement among fans and viewers alike.
“We are focused on creating elevated events that WNBA fans won’t want to miss, at a time when the energy for the WNBA has never been higher,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a press release statement. “Last season resulted in our most-watched-regular season in over two decades, our highest total attendance in 13 years and set record figures across WNBA digital and social platforms.
The WNBA's exponential growth highlights the need for the league and its players to receive the recognition they rightfully deserve. While there are several areas needing improvement, women's sports, in general, are on the rise.
The future is NOW 🙌
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 28, 2024
The 2024 WNBA Draft presented by @statefarm will be OPEN to the fans at an all NEW location!
🗓️ April 15th
📍 Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, N.Y. (BAM)
🎟️ Tickets go on sale Thursday March 7th – https://t.co/7JTr1YylLV
📺 Airing exclusively on ESPN… pic.twitter.com/vxMzzxQLHb
Viewership among national television partners surged by nearly 21 percent, reflecting the WNBA's remarkable growth throughout the season. The 2023 WNBA Draft, in particular, garnered an average of 572,000 viewers, marking the most-watched draft since 2004. Attendance rose by 16 percent, and the WNBA experienced significant increases in social media engagement, sports betting activity, and digital platform interactions.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music will host the event
The Brooklyn Academy of Music has been home to numerous renowned events in music, theater, film, dance, and more. With a legacy spanning over 160 years, the Academy will serve as the host venue for the highly anticipated event come April.
Having previously been held in Manhattan and the Mohegan Sun Arena, the evening will be filled with various festivities. To begin, players will have the opportunity to flaunt their fashion and personalities on the "Orange Carpet" and will speak to the media before they get their names called. Before the event commences, the prospects will visit the Empire State Building to kick off the draft festivities with a lighting ceremony.
As the talent pool continues to expand, the WNBA will unveil "Draft Central" in March. Modeled after the NBA's platform, this initiative will spotlight the skills and analyses of draft prospects. Moreover, it will offer fans and media the opportunity to access team-specific information, including transactions, news, and picks.
This development marks a significant milestone for the WNBA and underscores the league's evolution. Providing comprehensive draft prospect and team information is crucial for the league's growth and visibility.
As the official start to the WNBA season, we knew the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm should be transformed into a larger, fan-focused event to celebrate the incredible talent set to enter the draft, "said Engelbert.
Despite the draft lottery taking place on December 10, the Indiana Fever retain the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. However, due to a series of transactions, the draft order now looks markedly different compared to the time of the lottery.
Below is the updated draft order for the teams:
2023 #WNBADraft
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 11, 2023
No. 1: Aliyah Boston (IND)
No. 10: Zia Cooke (LA)
No. 24: Brea Beal (MIN) pic.twitter.com/EqFXK5zbXP
Round no.1
- Indiana Fever
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Chicago Sky (via Phoenix Mercury)
- Los Angeles (via Seattle Storm)
- Dallas Wings (via Chicago Sky)
- Washington Mystics
- Minnesota Lynx
- Los Angeles Sparks (via Atlanta Dream)
- Dallas Wings
- Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty
- Atlanta Dream (Las Vegas Aces)
Round no.2
- Phoenix Mercury
- Seattle Storm
- Indiana Fever
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Chicago Sky
- Las Vegas Aces (via Washington Mystics)
- Minnesota Lynx
- Atlanta Dream
- Washington Mystics (via Dallas Wings)
- Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty
- Las Vegas Aces
Round no. 3
- Phoenix Mercury
- Seattle Storm
- Indiana Fever
- Los Angeles Sparks
- Chicago Sky
- Las Vegas Aces (via Washington Mystics)
- Minnesota Lynx
- Atlanta Dream
- Washington Mystics (via Dallas Wings)
- Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty
- Las Vegas Aces
The 2024 WNBA Draft is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on April 15th. Viewers can catch the action live on ESPN, with the event featuring WNBA Countdown presented by Google on the ESPN app. For fans eager to stay updated throughout the night, wnba.com will be the go-to source.
As the draft heads to Brooklyn, the world eagerly anticipates capturing and celebrating the journeys of these prospects both on and off the court as they embark on the next chapter of their careers.
The WNBA season will kick off on May 15 with four games scheduled to start at 7 p.m ET.
Stay tuned for more related articles. Click here
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Social Media Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.