Game one of the WNBA playoffs drew nearly 2 million viewers, most of them tuning in to see Caitlyn Clark and the Indiana Fever. Meanwhile, other playoff games struggled to hit 400,000 viewers. Even the WNBA Countdown, aired before the Fever game, got more attention than two other series combined.
Some say the league is unfairly relying on Caitlyn Clark’s star power, overshadowing other women who’ve helped build the WNBA to what it is today. With Clark now out of the playoffs, the excitement seems to have fizzled. She won’t play again for 23 days, and viewership has already dropped since her team was eliminated. Fans might not see her back on the court for another 200 days.
According to an ESPN report, Caitlyn is almost certainly sitting out this offseason—no overseas games, no three-on-three leagues. With her absence, fans and experts alike are starting to lose interest in the WNBA. Many fans were shocked by her quick exit from the playoffs, but now analysts like Molly Qerim and Monica McNutt are asking, “Who’s the real face of the WNBA now that Caitlyn is out?” Without her, attendance and viewership are expected to hit an all-time low.
Caitlyn Clark has been a game-changer wherever she played. Stadiums were packed, and fans traveled from all over just to watch her shoot from deep or deliver perfect assists. She wasn’t just a rising star—she brought magnetic energy to the court, driving the Fever to become one of the most-watched teams this year. However, with Caitlyn out, it feels like the WNBA is struggling to keep up the excitement. Games don’t feel the same, and the drop in viewership without her is staggering.
Before she came into the league, ticket sales were up 16%. But in 2024, with Caitlyn leading the charge, ticket sales skyrocketed by 93%. That means without Caitlyn, it would have taken the WNBA five or six more years to hit the numbers it did this year. It wasn’t just her skill that captivated people—it was her presence. Caitlyn Clark became a superstar who transcended the game. Fans didn’t just want to watch their favorite team—they wanted to watch her. Her charisma and talent were unmatched.
Now, with her taking a break, the league is feeling her absence. With Caitlyn stepping away for a well-deserved rest, the WNBA faces a real challenge. Can it keep the momentum going without her? Her performances had such a powerful pull on fans that now, without her, viewership is dropping fast.
Until then, the WNBA has to figure out how to navigate this quieter period. Caitlyn Clark has become the future of women’s basketball, and her return will be one of the most highly anticipated moments in WNBA history. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come.
