Even before Caitlin Clark played a minute in the WNBA, many had already predicted her impact in the pro league. Based on the record-breaking games she headlined in Iowa, many were convinced she would be the same superstar after her collegiate success.

The 2024 WNBA Draft reportedly pulled in 2.45 million views, easily shattering the 601,000 in 2004 when Diana Taurasi entered the league. “Clarkonomics” was only getting started.

With the regular season over, the viewership numbers involving Caitlin Clark games are staggering.

X (formerly Twitter) user Michael Mulvihill reported:

“Final WNBA regular season viewership, all rated networks:
“Caitlin Clark games – 1.178 mill
“All other games – 394k
“Difference – 199%”
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Clark’s critics contend that her arrival only coincided with a spike in interest in women’s basketball. The 199% difference in viewership between Clark-featured games against all other games debunks those narratives.

Tim Reynolds’ post involving attendance is even more detailed as it goes with a breakdown for every WNBA team:

“Average, Fever games: 16,084.
“Average, non-Fever games: 8,552.
“(That’s an 88% difference. That’s Caitlinmania.)”

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Caitlin Clark’s most viewed games in college were during March Madness. With the Indiana Fever back in the playoffs since 2016, no one will be surprised if the rookie sensation becomes an even bigger draw.

Caitlin Clark skyrockets Indian Fever’s brand value
Gainbridge FieldHouse, the Indiana Fever homecourt, was filled with reportedly close to 14,000 fans for the 2024 WNBA Draft. The event was in New York but the fans couldn’t hide their thrill of getting the then-Iowa superstar. When Caitlin Clark went to the Fever, the arena celebrated this moment.

Clark’s arrival in Indiana did not start well for the Fever. The rookie struggled to adjust to her teammates and the WNBA play. Outside of Indy, she was relentlessly trolled.

The attendance, though, went as expected. Despite the team’s struggles, Fever fans filled the home arena while away crowds were just as interested in seeing her. Viewership numbers were even more impressive, particularly when Clark faced her rival Angel Reese in four highly sought-after games.

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Caitlin Clark proved to be more than just a ratings darling. She owned the Rookie of the Year race and pushed herself into MVP conversations. The Fever had an 11-15 record leading into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After the month-long break, they finished with a 9-5 record to end up with a 20-20 win-loss slate and the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.

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