The WNBA’s increase in ratings is not solely attributed to Caitlin Clark’s influence. While the Indiana Fever’s rookie has played a significant role in boosting the popularity of women’s basketball, there is a rising tide of success benefitting everyone in the WNBA. This was evident during a recent game between the Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky.
Both teams boast their own star power, with the Aces led by MVP A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, and the Sky showcasing rookie duo Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. The Aces emerged victorious with a buzzer-beater by Wilson, securing a 77-75 win after a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback by the Sky.
Watch the game highlight here.
CBS drew a substantial viewership for the intense matchup, with 1.22 million viewers tuning in on Sunday afternoon, making it the most-watched game of the WNBA season not involving Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Clark’s impact on ratings is undeniable, as her debut with the Fever garnered the highest WNBA viewership since 2001. The WNBA hadn’t reached one million viewers for a game since 2008 prior to this season. This season, they have surpassed this milestone in 20 games across various networks like ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, and ION.
While Clark is responsible for the majority of these high viewership numbers, the ability of matchups like Fever-Sky to attract a healthy audience for a regular-season game bodes well for the WNBA, even if Indiana doesn’t advance far in the playoffs. The league benefits from more players, teams, and personalities drawing viewership, ensuring positive momentum in the short and long term.
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