Caitlin Clark is already affecting the WNBA ahead of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark has not even been drafted yet but is single handedly changing the dynamics and popularity of the league.
The Indiana Fever have the first pick in the draft and Clark is expected to be chosen. Thus, the WNBA and the Fever have wasted no time building up the hype for her.
Ticket Sales
The Fever ranked No. 11 of the 12 WNBA teams in attendance during 2023. However, after Clark declared for the draft the team confirmed a “spike” in ticket sales. The team has been pre-selling single-game tickets to two games per day heading into draft day. Ticket prices have increased for the Fever’s road games as well, with fans across the country wanting to see her. The Las Vegas Aces moved their game against the Fever to a larger arena. Spokesman John Maxwell stated, “The demand for the July 2 game against Indiana was particularly high, and the decision was made to move that game to T-Mobile Arena”.
TV Schedule
The WNBA released its 2024 TV schedule on Wednesday and the Indiana Fever lead the league for nationally broadcasted games. They will have 36 of their 40 games on national television with Las Vegas and New York following at 35 games and 31 games respectively.
The WNBA released this statement about the broadcast schedule:
“Indiana, which is positioned to add the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm (Monday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN) to a roster that features 2023 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, will have 36 of its 40 games featured by the WNBA’s national broadcast and streaming partners. “The Fever will be featured eight times across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, eight times on ION and twice on the CBS Television Network. In addition, Indiana will be highlighted 13 times on NBA TV, four times on Prime Video, and once on CBS Sports Network.”
Contrast this with last year when the Fever only had one national broadcasted game out of 40. The Fever also went 13-27 last season. Yes, Aliyah Boston was dominant last year winning 2023 Rookie of the Year, but the majority of this falls on one person: Caitlin Clark.
Simply put, even before Clark has signed a WNBA contract she is already influencing the league and its profits.
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/sports/caitlin-clarks-influence-on-the-wnba-ahead-of-draft/2024/04/14/
