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The Indiana Fever are inching closer to their return to the court after going 20-20 and falling in the first round of the WNBA playoffs last season. With training camp set to begin on April 28, the anticipation continues to grow.
Star guard Caitlin Clark has been must-see TV since her college days, but the attention escalated after her performances night after night in the WNBA.
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Fans around the Indianapolis area, in particular, have shown a new level of support for the Fever because of her. They sold out 16 home games in 2024, an increase from two in 2023, and Clark’s jersey sales were up (1193%) as well.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On Thursday, the Fever made a big television network announcement with WTHR.
“The Indiana Fever and WTHR, the TEGNA owned NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, today announced a first-ever, multi-year distribution agreement that will deliver more exciting basketball action to central Indiana fans than ever before,” the team wrote in a press release.
Last season’s television ratings were through the roof, and both the Fever and WTHR wanted things to continue. Interestingly enough, the “games on WTHR were watched in nearly two-thirds more homes than nationally televised matchups” (63% household ratings increase over national network games).
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WTHR, along with TEGNA’s MeTV affiliate WALV, will carry 18 Fever games this season. That might not sound like much at first, but considering Indiana is set to play on national TV for 41 of their 44 games, it’s actually pretty significant.
Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, issued a statement regarding the agreement.
“With our team’s powerful roster of veteran talent and young stars, we’re positioned to have an unforgettable season, and we look forward to having more fans follow our journey,” Raines said. “WTHR and TEGNA continue to be incredible partners, and together, we’re going to deliver more exciting, fast-paced Fever basketball to households in the Indianapolis region than ever before.”
Related: Colin Cowherd Struggles to Talk After Discovering Bad Caitlin Clark News
Related: Caitlin Clark’s Boyfriend Has No Words for Butler’s Big Announcement on Tuesday
