WNBA: SEP 25 Playoffs First Round Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun - Source: Getty

Jason Whitlock praised Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark after Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx broke the viewership record. The thrilling Game 1, which was broadcast live on ESPN on Thursday, drew the largest audience for a WNBA Finals opener in history.

According to data from ESPN, Game 1 of the Liberty vs. Lynx WNBA Finals drew 1.1 million viewers, with a peak of 1.5 million. This marks a significant 57% increase in viewership compared to Game 1 of the 2023 Finals between the Liberty and Las Vegas Aces.

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After the impressive viewership numbers were revealed, veteran analyst Jason Whitlock attributed much of the WNBA’s growing popularity to Caitlin Clark’s influence.

“Lynx-Liberty drew 1.14 million viewers, highest WNBA Finals numbers in 23 years,” Whitlock said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).
“Caitlin Clark fans should be celebrating this. It’s all testament to her impact on the league. She’s the tide lifting all boats. The higher the number the goes the better.”

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Game 1 of the WNBA Finals offered fans a nail-biting thriller, with the Minnesota Lynx pulling off a 95-93 overtime win against the New York Liberty at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The intense matchup kept fans on the edge of their seats.

WNBA playoffs viewership this season
The 2024 WNBA playoffs have seen a significant increase in viewership compared to last year, with Caitlin Clark’s games topping the charts. Clark and the Indiana Fever faced off against the Connecticut Sun in the first round, drawing impressive numbers. Game 1 attracted 1.84 million viewers, while Game 2 saw a surge with 2.54 million viewers tuning in.

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Although the viewership for other games hasn’t reached the same heights as those featuring Caitlin Clark, the overall numbers for the WNBA playoffs have been superb.

According to Sports Media Watch, the first two rounds of the 2024 WNBA playoffs have averaged 970,000 viewers, which is significantly more than the viewership at the same stage last year, which averaged 400,000 viewers.

The ongoing WNBA Finals have kicked off with impressive viewership numbers and the momentum is expected to continue as two star-studded teams, led by superstars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, promise to deliver thrilling, edge-of-your-seat action for basketball fans.

Game 2 between the Liberty and Lynx is set for Sunday at the Barclays Center and will be broadcast live on ABC.