ESPN IGNORED Caitlin Clark Draft While Claiming HUGE Increase in Viewers..
The WNBA draft was supposed to be a landmark event, and in many ways, it was. The spotlight shone brightly on Caitlin Clark, the record-breaking star from Iowa whose historic college career had already made her a household name. Millions of fans tuned in, eager to see where she would land and how her next chapter would begin. But amid all the hype, one glaring omission left many fans stunned — ESPN, the network that boasts about its commitment to growing women’s sports, barely gave Clark’s draft moment the coverage it deserved.
On the surface, ESPN was busy celebrating a huge surge in viewership numbers. Headlines across their platforms boasted that the 2024 WNBA Draft had reached historic ratings, attributing the boost to increased interest in women’s basketball. But behind the scenes, viewers were left asking: If Caitlin Clark was the primary reason for this boost, why was she barely featured?
While Clark was indeed selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever — a moment that should have been the centerpiece of ESPN’s draft coverage — the network’s focus appeared scattered. Instead of highlighting Clark’s journey, legacy, and the gravity of the moment, ESPN spent much of its airtime bouncing between less impactful stories, behind-the-scenes banter, and unrelated promotions. Even when Clark’s name was called, the camera barely lingered on her face before switching back to the studio analysts.
Social media erupted. Fans, journalists, and even former players were quick to call out the contradiction: ESPN was celebrating numbers built on Clark’s fame — yet failed to center her in the very event driving those numbers. One post went viral, reading:
“Caitlin Clark just brought in millions of viewers, and ESPN acted like she was a side story.”
Critics argue this wasn’t just a one-off oversight. They see it as part of a larger pattern of undervaluing the athletes actually responsible for the sport’s growth — particularly when it comes to women’s sports. Clark’s college games consistently broke viewership records, often surpassing men’s games in prime-time slots. Her Final Four appearances drew unprecedented attention, making her one of the most talked-about athletes in America. Yet, when her professional journey officially began, the network that profited most from her success barely gave her the stage.
By the end of the night, it was clear that something didn’t sit right with the audience. Yes, the ratings were up. Yes, people cared more than ever. But the moment that could have been historic — the proper honoring of Caitlin Clark’s draft — had been downplayed by the very outlet shouting about women’s sports growth.
In the aftermath, ESPN released a brief statement thanking fans for their support and acknowledging the “milestone” event. But for many, the damage was already done.
Caitlin Clark didn’t need the coverage to validate her impact — the numbers spoke for themselves. But fans were left with a bitter taste: a sense that once again, the media wanted the spotlight of women’s sports growth without truly uplifting the women driving it.
And that, some say, is the real story ESPN didn’t want to air.
