WNBA star Angel Reese recently featured basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal on her podcast, “Unapologetically Angel.” Their conversation delved into O’Neal’s experiences in the basketball realm and explored the remarkable growth of the WNBA. This past season marked a pivotal moment for the league, showcasing unprecedented popularity across various metrics, largely thanks to the impressive rookie class led by Reese and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.
While Reese had a noteworthy season, helping the Chicago Sky secure a 13-27 record as the No. 10 seed, she highlighted Clark’s exceptional performance as particularly standout. During the podcast, when O’Neal inquired about Clark’s widespread appeal, Reese identified a key factor that sets her apart: “She can shoot threes from the logo.” Clark wrapped up her rookie campaign with the Fever, averaging an impressive 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. Notably, she led the WNBA in average assists and topped her rookie class in scoring.
Reese emphasized how Clark’s elite scoring ability was instrumental in the Fever’s transformation and played a significant role in boosting their viewership. The Fever finished the 2024 season with a 20-20 record, earning the No. 6 seed in the playoffs and marking their first postseason appearance since 2016, as well as their first 20-win season since 2015. The overall success of this rookie class contributed to the WNBA drawing over 54 million viewers across multiple networks, including ESPN and CBS, while arena attendance reached a 22-year high, totaling approximately 2.4 million fans—a 48% increase from the previous season.
Although Clark wasn’t the sole contributor to this growth, her influence extended beyond the court, shaping the future of the Fever franchise and enhancing the league’s overall appeal. In 2024, the WNBA witnessed its two highest-rated games on ABC, both featuring the Fever, attracting about 2.23 million viewers against the Seattle Storm and around 1.71 million against the New York Liberty. Additionally, the most-watched game in the league’s history on ESPN2 showcased Clark and the Fever, drawing around 2.12 million viewers in a matchup against the Connecticut Sun.
The impact of this rookie class has been nothing short of transformative for the WNBA, signaling a bright future for the league as it continues to gain traction and capture the attention of fans nationwide.
