Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark signs autographs for fans before a WNBA basketball game

Caitlin Clark’s rookie season in the WNBA has been a rollercoaster, marked by extreme highs and lows. She started on a high note, being the number one pick in the most-watched WNBA Draft in history.

However, things took a downturn in March with a 1-8 start that left fans worried. But Clark bounced back in June and July, setting multiple records, including being the first rookie to achieve a triple-double, dishing out the most assists in a single game with 19, and becoming the most voted player in WNBA All-Star Game history-also the most-watched All-Star game ever.

The momentum dipped again when Clark couldn’t participate in the Olympics, where Team USA easily secured the gold. However, this break allowed her to rest and recharge for the season’s final stretch.

Now, with five consecutive victories, an 8-2 record in their last 10 games, the Indiana Fever have clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2016 and hold a winning record for the first time since that year.

Clark’s remarkable rookie campaign continues as she shatters records and propels the WNBA to new heights in viewership, merchandise sales, social media engagement, and, most notably, arena sellouts wherever she plays.

Caitlin Clark Breaks Viewership Records

 

As shown in the above chart from SportsMedia Watch, the September 1st game between the Indiana Fever (18-16) and Dallas Wings (9-24) was the most-watched game on NBA TV this year, surpassing even NBA games.

The “Clark effect” is undeniable, and her down-to-earth, game-focused personality is driving the growth of women’s basketball globally.

Before that Fever vs. Wings game, the last NBA game with higher NBA TV viewership was Heat-Bucks Game 5 in the 2023 playoffs. Of the top ten games on the list, four WNBA games, all featuring the Fever, make the cut.

Critics may try to downplay Clark’s role in boosting the WNBA’s profile, but the numbers tell a different story, underscoring her significant impact.

While it’s important to acknowledge the contributions of past and present players like A’Ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, and Angel Reese, Clark stands out as the most famous, even if she isn’t yet the league’s best player.

Fever and Clark Aim to Finish Strong

 

With six games left in the season, including a current matchup against the Minnesota Lynx (24-9), five of these games will be at home, where the Fever have been nearly unbeatable with a 9-1 record in their last 10 home games.

Clark leads nearly every rookie category and is also leading the league in assists (8.4 per game) and three-pointers made (102). She’s second in minutes played (35.5) and ninth in scoring (18.9).

If she maintains these averages, Clark is on track to break multiple records when the season ends on September 19th.