The Presidential Debate Impacted Start Time Of NBA Draft Second Round

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06/27/2024 05:06 PM

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 08: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about the release of Olympian and WNBA player Brittney Griner from Russian custody, at the White House on December 08, 2022 in Washington, DC. Griner was released as part of a prisoner swap that involved Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The second round of the 2024 NBA Draft is underway. Some fans may be wondering why the league opted for a 4 p.m. ET start rather than keeping the event on primetime.

It's apparently because of Donald Trump and Joe Biden. An ESPN spokesperson confirmed to Front Office Sports' Dennis Young that Thursday night's presidential debate affected the draft schedule.

"The league ultimately sets the start time for its own events, but nearly every network, including the Disney-owned ABC, will be airing the 9 p.m. debate live," Young wrote.

ABC will begin its debate coverage at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN is scheduled to air the NHL Awards after the NBA Draft at 7 p.m. ET before shifting to two hours of UFC content.

Young noted that the lowest-rated Trump-Biden debate in 2020 still drew 63 million viewers. Meanwhile, last year's NBA Draft (a one-night event) set a ratings record at 5 million.

Not even intrigue regarding Bronny James was likely to generate enough eyeballs to go head-to-head with the debate. However, sports fans have other viewing options.

A'ja Wilson, Alyssa Thomas, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese are all in action Thursday night. NBA TV airs a matchup between the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. while Amazon Prime Video streams a Las Vegas Aces/Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever/Seattle Storm doubleheader.

MLB aces Corbin Burnes and Zack Wheeler will pitch, and FOX will air Copa America action that includes a matchup between the United States and Panama.