Caitlin Clark has brought millions of viewers and money to the WNBA, and here’s the proof
Clark and the Fever have broken audience records
Indiana Fever and WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
Today, Wednesday July 17, is the last day to see Caitlin Clark in action for an entire month due to the imminent start of the Olympic Games, which will force the WNBA to pause for several weeks as players compete in Paris. Although Caitlin will not be participating in the Olympics -a decision that has sparked significant controversy against the USA team’s head coach, Cheryl Reeve– the impact of the Indiana Fever’s sensational rookie is evident in the numbers.
Many experts are calling it the Caitlin Clark Effect, and it’s not hard to see why. Since 2008, the WNBA hadn’t seen viewership numbers surpassing one million, but the arrival of the fESPN, CBS, ABC, and ION.ormer Iowa star has dramatically changed the game, especially for networks like
Caitlin Clark makes WNBA history with first triple-double by a rookie, fans celebrate wildly
A report from Sports Media Watch revealed the viewership numbers for this WNBA season, highlighting the 15 most-watched games of the year. Out of those, 13 featured the Fever and Clark. The least-watched game of the year, Phoenix vs. Connecticut, still averaged 1.02 million viewers.
In contrast, the most-watched game was the Indiana Fever versus the Chicago Sky, showcasing the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and fellow rookie star Angel Reese, a rivalry that dates back to their college days. This game averaged 2.30 million viewers. Of the top 10 most-watched games of the year, all include Clark and her team.
The Clark effect translates to millions of dollars
These numbers have led the WNBA to sign a new media deal for the next 11 years, worth over two billion dollars, which translates to $200 million per year. This is a significant increase from the previous deal, which only brought in $50 million annually, four times less than the new agreement.
MORE in MARCA
LeBron James praises Bronny James’ recent Summer League improvement | MarcaMarca
‘Nuttin Butt Azz’ tournament cancelled in Newark HS for promotion featuring a video of women twerking wildly | MarcaMarca
What does this mean for the WNBA and its players? More money from media rights means more funds for both players and teams. Free agents will get deals more suited to their value, and high-caliber rookies like Clark and Angel Reese won’t start their careers earning less than $100,000 annually. Increased revenue for teams could lead to improvements in facilities, benefiting both players and fans.
While Clark isn’t the only star rookie in the WNBA this year (her rival Reese and the sensational Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks have also captivated the nation), it’s clear that people are filling stadiums to see the all-time leading scorer in college basketball now showcasing her talent at the professional level. Caitlin has become an icon and role model for young girls drawn to basketball, and her best moments are yet to come.
News
Denver Nuggets Star Jamal Murray Sets The Record Straight On Russell Westbrook’s Impact On The Team
Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray (Images Credits: Getty Images) The Denver Nuggets had a strong showing in the 2023-24 NBA regular season, securing their spot in the playoffs. They defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in round 1 but ultimately lost to the Minnesota…
Travis Kelce’s Ex-Girlfriend Kayla Nicole Causes A Major Stir With Scandalous Dress That Showed Off A Whole Lot More Than Expected At Recent Netflix Premiere
Kayla Nicole (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole was turning heads at a recent Netflix premiere this weekend. Nicole, who dated the Kansas City Chiefs tight end for several years before they called it off in 2022, has been…
AJ Griffin Breaks His Silence On Why He Gave Up Basketball At The Age Of 21
AJ Griffin (Image Credit: Getty Images) AJ Griffin, son of Milwaukee Bucks head coach and former NBA player Adrian Griffin, made a surprising decision to retire from the NBA after just two seasons. His sudden departure from the league came after the Houston…
NBA Fans Are Freaking Out Over Jaylen Brown And His Jacked Up Arms After Photo Leaks From Celtics Practice With Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown (Image Credit: @CelticsLab) After securing his first NBA title last season, Jaylen Brown is ready to make another strong push with the Boston Celtics. Following his Olympic snub, Brown seems more motivated than ever, taking his training to new extremes, including…
Angel Reese Taking Serious Heat On Social Media After Sharing Very Odd Tweet That Has Fans Calling Her “Delusional”
Angel Reese (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese is taking heat after sharing a strange post to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday night. The former LSU star was unfortunate to have her first season in the WNBA cut short…
Brittney Griner Explodes On Social Media After Being Attacked By Ruthless Fans Online Who Told Her To “Go Back To Russia” Following Her Fight With LA Sparks Rookie Rickea Jackson
Brittney Griner (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was involved in a physical altercation with Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson on Tuesday night. Rickea Jackson was handed her first WNBA ejection after getting into an on-court scuffle with Brittney Griner….
End of content
No more pages to load
