The Caitlin Clark Effect is a catch-all for a lot of changes that happened in the WNBA last year after Clark was drafted to the Indiana Fever. Those changes include great highs like historic game attendance and viewership — but also include extreme lows, like racism and sexism from a small portion of so-called fans.
Clark's teammate Kelsey Mitchell has seen both signs of that impact on the Fever and it's fanbase, as well as on the league and women's basketball fans as a whole. She was asked about those changes during an interview with Uninterrupted'sC-SUITE BALLERS on April 11.
"Oh man, I think I've seen both sides of it," Mitchell began. "Being on a team with Caitlin, and knowing that some of the stuff and the wave that she created for where the game is... I've seen so much of it. And so I think for me lately is the shift in moments in Indiana, as far as the arena, where we started."
With yet another subtle dig at the Fever fans from WNBA Media, Kelsey Mitchell talks about the growth of the women’s game.
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) April 11, 2025
Full Video Here: https://t.co/BKspgrzCK4 pic.twitter.com/Ei2YYBObNe
Mitchell also reflected on the background of longtime Indiana Fever fans, who have supported a team that has historically held a losing record for years — and who were ultimately rewarded for their patience when Clark was drafted and changed the trajectory of the entire franchise.
"They've seen where Indiana was. And I think now, where it's at now, the big moment is seeing the shift, and being a part of it from the standpoint of I know where Indiana was. So to see the cultivation of it, you just grow to appreciate the process and the growth in which the game is going," Mitchell added.
How Caitlin Clark changed the Fever
When it comes to numbers and money, Clark has had an undeniably positive impact on the Indiana Fever. Game attendance was up over 250% during the 2024 season, and ahead of the Olympics break last year the Fever was the top WNBA team in terms of social media engagement. Sportico reported that the Fever's engagement, video views, followers gained, and total followers online beat out those of the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB between April 15 and July 19.
Clark has admitted that part of what makes her great (and therefore so fun and compelling to watch for fans) is her own competitive drive. During a guest appearance on David Letterman's My Next Guest Needs No Introduction on Netflix, Clark examined how that compeitiveness impacted her teammates at Iowa.
"I don't think it was negative," she said. "I was just so competitive, and people didn't understand how I was wired. It was, you know, channeling that [competitiveness] when I could, but also helping my teammates understand that's the way [I am]."