I reached out to an old friend recently, a fellow sports enthusiast, to catch up, and surprisingly, we ended up discussing women’s professional basketball for the first 20 minutes.
Neither of us had shown any interest in the WNBA before, but we both, without each other’s knowledge, had become fans of Caitlin Clark.
There are players who can shift the competitive dynamics within a league or alter the way the game is played, but it’s rare to find someone who can carry an entire league on their shoulders.
There were skeptics when Clark entered the WNBA, doubting whether she could maintain her college success in the professional league against the top female players in the world.
As the regular WNBA season wraps up and the playoffs kick off, it’s clear that the doubters of Clark have been proven wrong.
Geno Auriemma, the renowned coach of the University of Connecticut women’s team, infamously remarked in June, “The delusional fanbase that follows her disrespected the WNBA players by saying she’s going to go in that league and tear it apart.”
Contrary to this statement, Clark has had the best rookie season in WNBA history and has been a massive draw for ratings and attendance.
Despite some jealousy and hostility from other WNBA players, Clark has been a game-changer for the league.
Simply by having “C squared” on the court, the WNBA has seen immense success in terms of viewership and attendance.
Clark has made every game extraordinary. In the final game of the season against the Fever, the Washington Mystics, who typically play in a 4,200-capacity arena, moved to an NBA arena and drew a record-breaking crowd of 20,711.
The Indiana Fever saw an impressive average attendance of 17,000 at home games and 15,000 on the road, surpassing all other teams by a significant margin.
When the team plays away, a majority of the fans are rooting for Clark rather than the home team.
TV network Ion saw a 133% rise in ratings from the previous year, with an average of 670,000 viewers per game.
Seven games involving the Indiana Fever garnered more than a million viewers each, leading to an 181% increase in viewership among men aged 25 to 54.
Clark finished the season tied for seventh in points per game and led the league in assists per game. She set rookie records for total points, assists, and three-pointers made in a season.
Being the only rookie to achieve a triple-double twice and coming close to breaking the all-time record for three-pointers in a season, Clark has undoubtedly left her mark on the league.
WNBA veteran Sheryl Swoopes, while not overly impressed with Clark, admitted that the rookie’s stats rival or exceed those of her MVP seasons.
Comparing numbers, Clark has outperformed Swoopes in scoring, assists, and rebounds per game during her MVP seasons.
On and off the court, Clark is a force to be reckoned with, showcasing her skills while maintaining a humble demeanor and expressing gratitude for her fans.
She serves as a role model for her younger admirers and earns respect from older fans for her exceptional talent and grace.
The Indiana Fever are making their first playoff appearance since 2016 after a slow start to the season at 1-8. While their playoff journey may be brief, the momentum gained post-Olympic break leaves room for surprises.
Regardless of the outcome, sports fans and WNBA stakeholders owe much of the recent excitement and success to Caitlin Clark.
Twitter: @RichLowry
