The impact of Caitlin Clark on basketball is shaking up the industry, with ripple effects that are reshaping viewership metrics across the sport—especially on the women’s side. Her influence, and the enthusiasm surrounding her games, now rivals (and in some cases surpasses) that of the NBA’s biggest stars. In several games, Clark had demonstrated her game-changing presence once again, pulling in numbers that could make even the NBA take note.

For context, the NBA’s opening day viewership this season was 1.6 million viewers, marking a significant 42% drop from the previous season’s opener, which featured the debut of standout Victor Wembanyama. Meanwhile, Clark’s first game of the WNBA season attracted a staggering 2.5 million viewers, even surpassing many of the NBA’s headline games. It wasn’t just a one-off; this level of viewership for Clark’s games has consistently kept her in the spotlight, regularly drawing around 2 million viewers on average—a feat few NBA players can match, including stars like LeBron James or Luka Dončić.

Take a closer look at the numbers: the NBA opener between the Bucks and 76ers saw 1.71 million viewers, down from 2.55 million last season for a Knicks-Celtics game. The Suns vs. Clippers match drew 1.52 million, a 49% decline. Even marquee matchups featuring rising stars, such as Luka Dončić versus Victor Wembanyama, struggled to pull strong numbers, with only 1.45 million viewers tuning in—down by 29% from last year’s comparable slot. In contrast, Clark’s games have not only matched but exceeded these figures, and her last face-off with Angel Reese brought in 2.5 million viewers on a Friday night in August.

This isn’t just a case of a one-time viewership spike. Clark’s star power has become a central attraction for basketball fans across the board, making her one of the most compelling athletes in the sport. If the numbers continue on this trend, ESPN could potentially see its WNBA viewership averages surpass NBA numbers on the platform—a historic shift in basketball broadcasting. The WNBA’s recent boost in popularity is already paving the way for potential renegotiations around its TV rights, which currently net the league $200 million annually. Within a few years, that number could easily jump to $300 million, fueling player salaries and encouraging further growth in the league. An increase in revenue would also mean higher salaries for WNBA players, potentially cutting down on the number of athletes who need to play overseas during the off-season.

Of course, these figures come with caveats. With the rise of illegal streaming and alternative viewing methods, it’s challenging to capture the full extent of viewership accurately. Yet, these trends reflect a notable surge of interest in WNBA games, largely driven by Clark’s games. Whether the NBA is indeed on a steady decline in viewership, or if Caitlin Clark’s popularity simply reflects the rising tide of women’s basketball, one thing is clear: Clark’s magnetism is redefining what it means to be a basketball superstar today.

If Clark’s viewership momentum continues, the WNBA’s financial standing could enter a new era.