The phenomenon of Caitlin Clark is already making waves in the WNBA. Within an hour of the Indiana Fever selecting her as the No. 1 overall pick on Monday, most sizes of Clark’s jersey were sold out on Fanatics.
Clark’s Impact on Women’s Basketball
Before entering the WNBA, Clark left an indelible mark on women’s college basketball at Iowa. Her remarkable performances drew unprecedented attention to the sport. Home and road games were consistently sold out during her senior season, where she shattered the all-time Division I scoring record for both men and women.
Television Ratings Surge
Clark’s charisma and skills ignited record-setting television ratings. Her final regular-season game at Iowa became the most-watched women’s college basketball regular-season game since 1999. Moreover, Iowa’s final three games in the 2024 NCAA Tournament broke viewership records, with the title game against South Carolina drawing a larger audience than the men’s championship game.
Fever’s Anticipation
Ahead of the WNBA Draft, the league anticipated the surge in attention Clark would bring. The Fever secured national television coverage for 36 of their 40 regular-season games, despite finishing with the second-worst record last season. Resale ticket prices for Fever games have also skyrocketed, tripling their 2023 prices.
Major Venue Moves
To accommodate the expected demand, the Las Vegas Aces, two-time defending champions, will host the Fever at T-Mobile Arena instead of their regular home court, which has nearly 8,000 fewer seats. Similarly, the Phoenix Mercury promoted their June 30 matchup against the Fever with Clark’s image, even before she was drafted.
Preseason Extravaganza
Even Clark’s first preseason game has generated excitement. Tickets for the Fever’s game against the Dallas Wings on May 3 are selling for 6 on StubHub. Her first regular-season game against the Connecticut Sun on May 14 also has tickets available for 7.
Homecoming Extravaganza
Clark’s first regular-season home game with the Fever will be on May 16, against the reigning Eastern Conference champions, the New York Liberty. This highly anticipated matchup is sure to electrify the Indiana community and showcase the profound impact of Caitlin Clark on the WNBA.
