Caitlin Clark completely flipped the narrative for the Indiana Fever. After drafting Clark, the Fever went from one of the worst teams in the WNBA to a playoff team and one of the most popular franchises in the league. Masses of fans showed up to watch Clark play, no matter where she was playing. That won’t be any different in the 2025 season, as teams are already moving their games against the Indiana Fever to bigger arenas.
Paige Bueckers, one of the most popular college players in recent years, should have a similar effect on the Dallas Wings. Dallas owns the number one pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and will very likely select Bueckers.
Clark has high expectations for the UConn star’s first WNBA season. When she appeared on The Bird & Taurasi Show, Clark predicted that Bueckers would draw plenty of fans to Dallas.
“Honestly, they should move every game to the American Airlines [Center] because I think Paige has that type of draw,” Clark said.
She also added, “I know we’re playing there one of our games. Hopefully, the other one gets moved, too. We would appreciate that, Dallas Wings, if you can move the other one.”
Wings should take opportunity to capitalize on Clark’s and Bueckers’ popularity
The Dallas Wings usually play their home games at College Park Center, which fits 7,000 fans. Their first home game against the Indiana Fever in June will take place at American Airlines Center, which seats 20,000 basketball fans and is home to the Dallas Mavericks. It is the only game scheduled to take place in that arena.
Even if the Wings do not feel comfortable moving all of their games to bigger arenas or do not have the resources to do so, Clark has a point. Moving the second matchup against the Indiana Fever would be in the Wings’ best interest.
Fever fans show up anywhere Clark plays and so will Bueckers’ fans. Moving the game would not only allow the Wings to sell more tickets but would also show future free agents that the organization is serious about putting their players on a big stage.
The Wings should essentially want to step into the Fever’s footsteps this year—draft a college star to pair with the All-Star already on the roster, improve compared to previous seasons, become a free-agency destination, and build a contender. Due to the new CBA, most WNBA players will be free agents in the next offseason, meaning that the Wings will have a chance to lure talent to Dallas.
Since drafting Arike Ogunbowale in 2019, the Wings have only been on one deep playoff run and could not hold on to Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard. Adding Bueckers and showcasing her and Ogunbowale’s talent as much as possible is the best way to gain popularity with fans and players alike. Putting Clark and Bueckers on the biggest stage possible would certainly help with that.