There is no denying Caitlin Clark’s profound influence on WNBA viewership. The 2024 NCAA National Championship, which saw Clark’s Iowa face unbeaten South Carolina, drew an impressive 24.1 million viewers, foreshadowing the viewership surge that followed her entry into the WNBA. Sixteen of the Indiana Fever’s 20 home games this season have sold out, consistently drawing crowds of 17,274 fans. Fever head coach Christie Sides remarked, “The WNBA’s attendance has changed drastically. Sellout crowds have become the norm, even for preseason games, which is helping us prepare for the playoffs.”
Clark’s widespread appeal, stemming from her Iowa days, has drawn casual and new viewers to the WNBA, highlighting the exceptional talent within the league. Alongside fellow rookies like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, Clark’s debut brought massive attention to the league, with the 2024 Draft Day garnering a record 2.45 million viewers.
Clark’s impact extended beyond packed arenas to television ratings, with six networks setting viewership records in games featuring her. Of the 23 WNBA games that surpassed 1 million viewers this season, Clark and the Fever played in 20, a remarkable feat considering no WNBA game had reached such an audience since 2008. The Fever’s home attendance reached a franchise-record 340,715 fans, surpassing the previous WNBA record held by the 2002 Washington Mystics by 81,000. High points in the Fever’s season, such as victories over the Liberty and Sun, electrified the fan base, and they now face the Sun again in the playoffs.
Indiana’s total attendance for 2024 nearly matched its combined attendance from 2022 and 2023. Six of the top seven teams in all-time WNBA attendance emerged this season, with the Fever leading the pack at 643,343. Fever star NaLyssa Smith acknowledged the unprecedented support, saying, “Shoutout Caitlin,” in reference to a record-breaking 20,711-strong crowd. With three expansion teams on the horizon, the stage is set for even more fans to experience Clark’s influence as she continues to sign autographs courtside.
