Spoiler alert: It did. Were there some hiccups? Of course, but that's to be expected when you're dealing with so many different parties in so many different locations with different internet speeds, etc. But for the most part, things went smoothly. Was it different? Absolutely! But we knew it would be. Was it weird to see the prospects all sitting on their couches at home instead of together in the green room? Definitely. But, again, it was either this or no draft at all. And I think they did a great job of still making it a worthwhile experience.
One of the things you noticed immediately was that, even though they couldn't take the customary picture with the commissioner and jersey, they all somehow managed to have the hat of their new team seconds after being drafted. Well, as it turns out, the WNBA sent each of the projected high draft picks a box that included a bunch of WNBA swag, including hats for all 12 teams. So, they heard their name, they put their hat on, then they did an interview with ESPN.
That's the part I was most curious about, and the part where I saw the biggest potential hurdles. For the most part, though, the interviews worked out. Sure, some had awkward delays. Some had feedback because they forgot to turn their volume down. And one couldn't hear because her family was too loud in the background! But it worked!
And the at-home element actually allowed them to bring a refreshing personal touch that we otherwise wouldn't have seen. Living rooms were decorated in so many different ways, and some even had fun backgrounds set up for their ESPN interviews. For the most part, they didn't dress up the way you would normally see on draft night (kudos to Lauren Cox for dressing up anyway), but they were all surrounded by family and they appeared to all be having draft parties.
As in any draft, it was obvious who the top picks would be. The Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu and the Wings' Satou Sabally, who went 1-2, were equipped with ESPN microphones (which I'm assuming were sent separately than the box from the league), while some others had to rely on the strength of their own computer/phone audio. Naturally, the quality of the video was reliant on the quality of the equipment used, too.
Those are minor inconveniences they knew they'd have to deal with while conducting a draft under such unusual circumstances. Ordinarily, it would be leave the green room, go on stage and shake hands, go over to ESPN and do your interview. But, all things considered, there were very few glitches and the interviews, while not perfect, went off pretty well.
While it was obvious the commissioner was at her home, it really didn't make any difference. Her main job is to announce the picks, and that's exactly what she did. Sure, it looked awkward for her to be holding up a jersey as she announced the selections, but that's another consequence of the situation, so what can you do? (Side note: Why is every WNBA jersey horrible? No numbers on the front? Really?!)
It was actually refreshing to see a draft that didn't have all the ridiculous bells and whistles, too. Don't forget, there was once a time when drafts weren't this massive made-for-TV events. And even now, in the era when they are, their main purpose hasn't changed. The entire point is to give teams the opportunity to select from the best available talent. That's something that can still be accomplished during a pandemic, which the WNBA proved.
All of this served as a precursor to next week's virtual NFL Draft. The league took some flak for not cancelling the Draft outright, but again, there was no reason to. A draft can easily be done remotely (it's not much different in practice than how we all draft our fantasy teams), and the networks are desperate for content--any type of content. And they have to plan as if the season is going to happen, which means they need to draft new players, so there really wasn't much of an option.
Outside of the 12 WNBA teams and the players' families, the NFL might've been the most interested party watching the WNBA Draft last night. And they're probably grateful that another league served as the guinea pig with virtual drafting. Because the NFL likely learned a lot that it can take and apply to its virtual draft, which will be a much larger undertaking.
Coordinating all of the details for a virtual NFL Draft will obviously be a lot more challenging than coordinating a virtual WNBA Draft. There were 36 players selected in the entire WNBA Draft. The NFL will have nearly that many in the first round alone. Then you've got 32 teams that are used to having a draft room full of GMs and coaches and scouts that will now have to do everything remotely. Plus the commissioner. Plus three different networks (although, I think ESPN and NFL Network are sharing the same feed).
What the WNBA taught the NFL, though, is that it can be done. It might not be ideal, but it's the best they can do in the situation. No, you won't have the legions of fans in jerseys wildly cheering or booing every pick (or the commissioner). You won't have the awkward man-hugs between Roger Goodell and 300-pound offensive linemen. You won't have the No. 1 jerseys and hats that don't fit, and that will take something away. But it can be done.
We've seen virtually every TV show move to remote productions over the past six weeks, and they're all pulling it off. The WNBA did, too. Now it's the NFL's turn. And I'd expect their virtual draft will go off without a hitch, too. After all, the WNBA gave them the blueprint.
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