The entire WNBA — not Caitlin Clark — was the breakout star of the season, CBS “60 Minutes” journalist Jon Wertheim said during Sunday night’s episode.
Wertheim broke down the rise of the WNBA and spoke to Clark, her teammate Aliyah Boston, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for the piece in which he called the Rookie of the Year “unquestionably the league’s main attraction, but not the only one.”
“The real breakthrough star of this WNBA season is the W itself,” Wertheim said. “Building off a college season in which was unimaginable just a few years ago, the women’s championship game outdrew the men. W games can draw more eyeballs than NBA games do.
“League wide, attendance is up 48%.”
But it was Clark who set the bar this season and arguably put together the best rookie season the WNBA has ever seen. Clark didn’t win the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same seasons like Candace Parker did with the Los Angeles Sparks, but she rewrote the record books several times.
Jon Wertheim interviews Caitlin Clark on “60 Minutes” on Sept. 29, 2024.60 Minutes
Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to have at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a playoff game when she did it in Game 2 of the playoff matchup against the Connecticut Sun. To be fair, Wertheim interviewed Clark before the playoffs began.
Regardless, she was the first rookie to record a triple-double when she played against the New York Liberty in July. She was also the first player in WNBA history to accomplish the feat against a team that was in first place in the standings.
She set a single-game record for assists when she put up 19 against the Dallas Wings. She set the single-season record for assists with 337 in total when the season ended.
Jon Wertheim and Caitlin Clark discuss the rise of the WNBA on “60 Minutes.”60 Minutes
Caitlin Clark was named Rookie of the YearUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Clark set the rookie record for most 3-pointers made in a single season with 122 – the second most in a single season. She was also the first player in WNBA history to have multiple career games with at least 25 points, 10 assists and five 3-pointers made.
Those records are only the tip of the iceberg, not to mention she was the unanimous AP WNBA Rookie of the Year.
In terms of ratings, Clark and the Fever were must-watch TV.
Caitlin Clark on “60 Minutes”60 Minutes
Fox Sports’ Michael Mulvihill underscored that point with statistics this month. He wrote on X that Caitlin Clark games drew in 1.178 million while all other games drew in 394,000, a 199% difference.
The breakout star is clear, and she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game and finished fourth in MVP voting.
News
VIDEO: Troy Aikman Drops Bombshell Relationship News On Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce That No One Saw Coming (PO)
Troy Aikman seems to know something about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift that the rest of us are not aware of. Texas State @ Troy – NCAA Game Recap for…
REPORT: NFL Is Investigating Steelers WR George Pickens After Cameras Caught Him With A Vulgar 3-Word Message Written On His Eye Black During SNF vs. Cowboys (PO)
The NFL is investigating Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver George Pickens for a potential uniform violation, stemming from the eye black he wore in Week 5 with a vulgar message. West…
REPORT: Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Speak Out Over Bombshell Rumor That’s Going Viral (PO)
Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce really engaged? Kansas State @ Colorado NCAA Football Game Preview for SAT, OCT 12 – 10:15 PM EST close The reports of an…
Taylor Swift fans are criticizing Troy Aikman for spreading false rumors that seriously reflect on her. (PO)
Troy Aikman has gained millions of enemies when it comes to Taylor Swift fans. Memphis @ South Florida NCAA Football Game Preview for FRI, OCT 11 – 07:00…
Cameron Brink reveals engagement to longtime boyfriend Ben Felter: ‘Yes in every lifetime’ (PO)
L.A. Sparks star Cameron Brink has a brand new ring. The 6-foot-4 center, who won a national championship ring during her career at Stanford, and her boyfriend…
Becky Hammon tears into Kelsey Plum during Aces’ loss in sideline outburst (PO)
Kelsey Plum ended up on the wrong side of a Becky Hammon tirade. The Aces coach ripped into her guard Tuesday night during an 88-84 Game 2 loss to…
End of content
No more pages to load
Relative Articles
None found