The WNBA is in trouble, or at least it seemed that way. If you take a look at the stands, you’ll notice something alarming—even the courtside seats are empty. The league has been struggling since Caitlyn Clark was eliminated from the playoffs. Yes, you heard that right: ever since she left, viewer numbers have been dropping every day.
But something unexpected just happened that could change everything. The last Indiana Fever game drew in 2.54 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA game in history. It seems like everyone loves the Indiana Fever—or rather, everyone loves Caitlyn Clark. Ever since she stepped onto the court, she’s captured the attention of fans everywhere. And that’s exactly what the WNBA needed to finally get the respect it deserves, especially in women’s sports.
However, the controversy continues. Despite the massive attention Caitlyn has brought, the league still hasn’t gotten the full recognition, acclaim, and marketing push it deserves. Caitlyn Clark has been a game-changer, shifting the landscape of the WNBA. According to Sports Media Watch, the WNBA had 22 regular-season games with over 1 million viewers on average this season. Add to that the All-Star Game and draft, both of which shattered records too, bringing the total to 24 events with more than a million viewers. The key factor? Caitlyn Clark played in all but three of those games.
This WNBA growth seems inevitable, but everyone’s watching closely. The first game of Fever’s series pulled in 1.84 million viewers, and the second game smashed records with 2.54 million viewers—the highest ever for a game on cable TV. And it all happened after Clark was eliminated.
Caitlyn Clark’s rookie season with the Indiana Fever was nothing short of spectacular. She led the WNBA in assists per game with an incredible 8.4 average and set a new record for most assists in a season with 337. She even broke the single-game assist record with 19 in one match. Not only that, but she was a three-point shooting machine, sinking 122 threes, second only to Sabrina Ionescu’s 128. Clark also now holds the WNBA record for most three-pointers made by a rookie. She claimed the Rookie of the Year title, ranked fourth in MVP voting, led the league in assists, and was one of the top scorers.
After her amazing run in the Olympics, she proved she’s more than deserving of all the attention she’s been getting. But now, what’s next for the WNBA? Caitlyn has hinted that she may not play in the league again until next year. There’s even a strong rumor that she’s negotiating with a European team. If that happens, it could spell trouble for both the Fever and the WNBA’s viewership.
But for now, it’s just a rumor—nothing’s confirmed yet. What we do know is that the WNBA is changing, and it’s fast. For the first time, we’re seeing female athletes on the verge of becoming millionaires. Just look at Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese, who already have massive contracts. The more viewers the league gets, the bigger these deals will become.
What do you think? Will Caitlyn stay in the WNBA, or is Europe calling her name? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on all things WNBA.
