Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA this season has been nothing short of extraordinary, both in terms of television ratings and in-arena attendance. As the regular season comes to a close and the playoffs approach, the data is revealing just how much of a draw Clark has become for the league, bringing in massive audiences both on screens and in seats.
According to Fox Sports executive Michael Mulvihill, Clark’s games averaged an astonishing 1.178 million viewers per game on TV—nearly three times the viewership of other WNBA matchups, which averaged 394,000 viewers. This surge in viewership has been attributed directly to Clark’s star power, which has captivated basketball fans nationwide.
The buzz surrounding Clark extended well beyond TV screens and into arenas across the country. The attendance numbers, shared by Associated Press reporter Tim Reynolds, tell a similar story. Games featuring Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, averaged a remarkable 16,084 fans, compared to 8,552 for non-Fever games.
That’s an 88% increase in attendance, a testament to what Reynolds called “Caitlinmania.”
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Reynolds further broke down the impact Clark had on individual teams’ attendance when they hosted the Fever. The largest spikes were seen in cities like Atlanta and Washington, where arenas swelled to accommodate the demand. When the Fever played the Atlanta Dream, games drew an average of 17,592 fans—compared to just 3,316 for the Dream’s other home games. Similarly, the Washington Mystics attracted 20,522 fans when Clark came to town, compared to an average of 4,988 for their other games.
Both the Dream and Mystics typically play in smaller venues, but Clark’s star power forced these teams to move their games to larger NBA arenas—home of the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards—just to accommodate the demand.
Interestingly, the smallest attendance gaps were observed in cities like Chicago, Connecticut, and Dallas, where teams played in smaller venues that couldn’t be expanded for Fever games. Even without a venue shift, Clark’s influence was still palpable, as fans packed into the arenas to catch a glimpse of the WNBA’s newest sensation.
Clark’s effect wasn’t just limited to ticket sales and TV ratings—it extended to her teammates as well. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, who had an All-Star-caliber season, credited Clark for the increased attention she and others have received.
“I think the reality of it is that people wouldn’t have known without Caitlin Clark,” Mitchell said earlier this week. “Shoutout to Caitlin. She’s done an unbelievable job of bringing her own fans and people that support her.”
Mitchell reflected on how the heightened attention has brought her into the spotlight, something she isn’t necessarily used to. “For me, I kinda laugh at it and embrace it at the same time because I’ve always flown under the radar. I’ve always been that player—very conservative, very introverted,” she explained. “So now I get to see the flip side of it, and it’s kind of funny. I can laugh about it because I know it’s coming from a genuine place.”
While Mitchell might not be accustomed to the spotlight, she’s ready to embrace it and hopes to live up to the increased recognition. “I just hope I do right by it. I just hope I don’t mess it up.”
As the WNBA playoffs begin, all eyes will continue to be on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, who are set to face the Connecticut Sun in the first round this Sunday at 3 p.m.
Clark’s ability to draw fans and boost TV ratings has already left a lasting impact on the league, and her presence in the playoffs is sure to bring even more excitement and attention to the WNBA’s biggest stage.
