The Indiana Fever selected Caitlin Clark as the No.1 pick of the WNBA Draft. The Fever selected Aliyah Boston from South Carolina with the first pick in last year’s draft. Boston had a very productive first season, winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award during the 2023 season.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
The outcome of the selection has been a forgone conclusion this entire season, but the rise of Caitlin Clark in this year’s tournament, along with the Women’s Basketball National Championship game between South Carolina and Iowa, showcased an unprecedented level of viewership, drawing an average of 18.7 million viewers proving once again it is icons that move people to screens.
Caitlin Clark had a record career. 🤩#B1Gstats pic.twitter.com/6WjYvNbwTq
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) April 8, 2024
At the heart of this milestone lies the remarkable performances and talent displayed by Caitlin Clark, who, in her 2024 March Madness run, averaged 30 points per game, along with 8.7 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. Her talent and shooting has led to her play style being compared to Steph Curry.
Caitlin Clark has arrived! pic.twitter.com/A5carJKQb9
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) April 15, 2024
The more significant numbers came for the viewers as Caitlin Clark’s final three games broke the record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game. The Elite Eight matchup was a rematch of last year’s championship between Iowa and LSU, brought in 12.3 million viewers. Against UConn and Paige Buckers in the final four, Clark got the win with 14.2 million viewers worldwide.
To finish the tournament against a stacked South Carolina team, Clark led women’s basketball to a historic moment as it was the first time in history the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game drew more viewers than the Men’s Championship, 18.7 million vs 14.8 million viewers for the men’s title game.
Generational.
Welcome to Basketball Country, Caitlin Clark. pic.twitter.com/FpeK5YGpot
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 15, 2024
This remarkable figure not only signifies a historic milestone for women’s basketball but also underscores the growing popularity and significance of the sport on the national stage. This game attracted more viewers than any other basketball game whether women’s, men’s, college, or professional basketball in the past five years which speaks volumes about where the women’s college game is going along with Caitlin Clark’s cultural impact and appeal in the modern sports world.
The New Face of the WNBA
Teams and networks have been preparing for Clark’s entrance into the league with the Indiana Fever before she was even drafted, showing that this lucrative market of women’s athletics has untapped potential among broadcasts and advertisers.
This moment has become a movement.
Whether you’ve been here for a decade or a day – your chance to witness greatness is here.Single game tickets against the Indiana Fever are officially on sale NOW!
🎟️ https://t.co/QimDQTRVpf pic.twitter.com/LaJLfC8CIn— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) April 8, 2024
Last year, the Indiana Fever had just one game on national TV for the 2023 season. Recently, the WNBA announced that the Fever will have 36 out of the team’s 40 games broadcasted on national TV this season. The Las Vegas Aces are moving their matchup against the Indiana Fever and potential No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark this upcoming season to T-Mobile Arena to accommodate 8K more seats. Other teams have already begun promoting rivalries and matchups, such as the Phoenix Mercury, which recently launched a “GOAT” Diana Taurasi vs “Rook” Caitlin Clark marketing campaign.
Dawn Staley to the crowd:
"I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport… She's gonna lift that league [WNBA] up… You are one of the GOATs of our game and we appreciate you.”
Super classy 👏pic.twitter.com/jNGv1VEjcA
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 7, 2024
Overall, the record-breaking viewership of the women’s March Madness tournament and the unprecedented viewership of the National Championship game between South Carolina and Iowa represents a massive moment for women’s athletics, with Caitlin Clark at the forefront of the movement that is a testament to the talent, dedication, and passion of the athletes who compete at the highest level, as well as the growing support and enthusiasm from fans around the world. As we celebrate this historic achievement, let us continue to champion gender equality in sports and empower women to shine on and off the field of play.
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