:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34943611/20130408_ajl_sd2_061.0.jpg)
This is chapter 8,527 in my upcoming book, Louisvillians Like Watching Sports.
The 2014 NBA Draft on ESPN delivered a 3.1 overnight rating, the highest-rated NBA Draft ever on ESPN, according to Nielsen. The Draft was up 19 percent compared to last year's telecast, which posted a 2.6 overnight rating. The Draft peaked at a 3.9 rating from both 8:15-8:30 and 8:30-8:45 p.m. ET.
The previous NBA Draft record on ESPN was a 2.7 overnight rating in 2003 - the first year ESPN televised the event - which featured the historic Draft class of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh.
2014 NBA Draft on ESPN
| Top Markets | Local Rating |
| Louisville |
7.1 |
| Oklahoma City |
6.3 |
| Memphis |
5.4 |
| Raleigh-Durham |
5.2 |
| Cleveland |
5.1 |
| Greensboro |
5.0 |
| Philadelphia |
4.1 |
| Miami-Ft. Lauderdale |
4.1 |
| Salt Lake City |
4.1 |
| San Antonio |
4.0 |