The United States women’s basketball team doesn’t necessarily need Caitlin Clark to dominate at the Paris Olympics, but the No. 1 draft pick could have significantly boosted ticket sales.
According to Juliet Macur of the New York Times, this weekend’s game between the United States and Germany isn’t attracting much interest. The Olympics is offering a “special offer” where fans can purchase tickets for just 24 Euros, potentially allowing them to sit near the front row for that price.
“Paris 2024 is having trouble selling tickets to the US-Germany women’s basketball game on Aug. 4. ‘Special offer’ tickets now available: only 24 Euros each and the seats can be anywhere in the venue. Maybe front row,” Macur wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Would’ve been a sellout with Caitlin Clark on the team.”
This situation highlights a challenge for Team USA’s marketability, particularly after seeing low attendance numbers for its opening game against Japan. Earlier reports indicated that just over 13,000 fans attended the game between the United States and Japan. In contrast, the game between Spain and China drew over 27,000 fans.
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Despite the lackluster ticket sales, Team USA continues to push forward in the tournament.
They are set to face Belgium this Thursday at 3 p.m. ET for their second game in the group stage.
While the team’s performance on the court remains strong, the issue of ticket sales suggests that star power like Caitlin Clark’s could have made a significant difference in attracting larger crowds. Clark, known for her electrifying play and massive following, might have brought in more fans eager to see her in action on the Olympic stage.
The low ticket sales for the US-Germany game and the underwhelming attendance at the opener are not the best look for Team USA’s marketability. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see if attendance improves and if any changes are made to enhance fan engagement and support.
In the meantime, Team USA focuses on their path to gold, with or without the added star power of Caitlin Clark.
The team’s dedication and talent remain undeniable, and their upcoming match against Belgium offers another opportunity to showcase their skills and hopefully draw in more spectators.
