–New York, Indiana, Dallas and Atlanta Will Vie for No. 1 Overall Draft Pick –
NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2019–WNBA Draft Lottery 2020 presented by State Farm® will be conducted on Tuesday, Sept. 17 in Secaucus, N.J., the WNBA announced today.
ESPN2 will televise the WNBA Draft Lottery during halftime of its telecast of Game 1 of a Semifinals series between the Connecticut Sun and a yet-to-be-determined opponent, with the playoff game tipping off at 6:30 p.m. ET. WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin will reveal the results of the Lottery during ESPN2’s coverage, which will be hosted by John Brickley.
The New York Liberty, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings and the Atlanta Dream have qualified for the 19thannual Lottery drawing. The winner will secure the top pick in WNBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm, which will be held next April.
Lottery odds are based on the cumulative records of the two most recent regular seasons (2018 and 2019). With a cumulative record of 17-51, the Libertywill have the most chances to land the top pick (442 out of 1,000) and is guaranteed at least the third pick.
Indiana posted a combined record of 19-49 and will have 276 chances out of 1,000 to win the top pick. Dallas, which registered a two-year record of 25-43, has the third-most chances (178). Atlanta has 104 chances by virtue of its 31-37record over the past two regularseasons.
In the drawing, 14 balls numbered 1-14 will be placed in a lottery machine and mixed. Four balls will be drawn to determine a four-digit combination. The team assigned that four-ball combination will receive the No. 1 pick. The four balls will then be placed back into the machine and the process will be repeated to determine the second pick. The two teams whose numerical combinations do not come up in the Lottery will select in the inverse order of their two-year cumulative record.
The order of selection for the remainder of the first round as well as the second and third rounds is determined by inverse order of the teams’ respective regular-season records solely from 2019.
A representative from the accounting firm of Ernst & Young will be in attendance to oversee the Lottery process.
This marks the eighth straight year that ESPN networks will televise the WNBA Draft Lottery.
Below are the number of chances for teams to land the top pick in WNBA Draft Lottery 2020 presented by State Farm.
WNBA DRAFT LOTTERY 2020 PRESENTED BY STATE FARM®
Team Combined 2018-2019 Record Chances (out of 1,000)
- New York 17-51 442
- Indiana 19-49 276
- Dallas 25-43 178
- Atlanta 31-37 104
About State Farm®: The mission of State Farm®is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 65,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts – approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.
About the WNBA: The WNBA is a professional, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams, the league exemplifies the excitement and excellence of sport as well as its underlying cultural and social dynamics.
Now in its 23rdseason, the WNBA recently launched a new brand identity, including a new logo and color palette, that embodies the youth, diversity and strength of the league and its players. Through the league’s world-class athletes, its in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, including WNBA League Pass, digital and social content, and community engagement programs like Her Time To Play, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it. For more information about the WNBA, visit WNBA.com.