The Indiana Fever were the must-see event after drafting Caitlin Clark. They sold out arenas nationwide and drew some of the league’s largest viewership numbers. Game 2 of their playoff series against the Sun was the tenth-most watched WNBA contest in league history.
Clark had a historic rookie season. She was an All-Star and finished fourth in MVP voting after leading the W in assists. The 22-year-old broke several records and had tons of new fans tuning in. She helped boost the entire league’s popularity. The Fever were bounced in the first round of the playoffs and many wondered what would happen to the viewership figures with Clark in offseason mode.
The WNBA Finals rematch is happening in the semifinals, and the Liberty have the two-time defending champion Aces on the ropes. New York dominated Game 1 behind strong performances from Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. It was a massive draw, but could it compete with Clark and the Fever?
Caitlin Clark proves nobody can match her popularity
Aces versus Liberty Game 1 drew 929,000 viewers on Sunday. This is arguably the two best teams in the W. They have the last two MVPs and tons of star power. The contest made a massive increase from last year, but it could not touch Clark’s figure. The 22-year-old and the Fever received 1.84 million viewers during their Sunday playoff contest. Both games were on ABC and competed with the NFL. Indiana got significantly more views for Game 2 when not squaring off against football.
It was a massive season for the WNBA. Popularity exploded across the league and even more fans are coming. The 13th team joins for the 2025 season, and the Golden State Valkyries have already sold 15,000-plus season tickets. Games will be sold out across the league, and everyone will still be trying to see Caitlin Clark ball.
This is just the beginning. There are several talented college players on the horizon with significant followings. Those players will keep Clark’s momentum rolling and bring more fans to the W. It has been fantastic to see the Fever playing in sold-out arenas, and the best is still yet to come.
The Indiana Fever want to build a title-contending roster around Caitlin Clark. They have two co-stars but need role players to amplify their attack. Indiana expects to have cap space and a top-ten draft pick. Can they find the right pieces? It is a crucial offseason, so stay tuned for all the latest.