Caitlin Clark Absence Causing 50% Decline in Ratings Alarms WNBA Fans

Fever star Caitlin Clark's impact on the WNBA is clearly evident after their viewership took a big dip due to her absence on the court.

Caitlin Clark Absence Causing 50% Decline in Ratings Alarms WNBA Fans

Caitlin Clark (Image by FirstSportz)

Caitlin Clark‘s absence is having an effect on the WNBA both on the court and in terms of TV viewership. According to USA Today, the number of people watching nationally televised games has dropped by a significant 55 percent since the Indiana Fever star guard’s injury on May 24 due to a strained left quad. This showcases the impact she has had in such a short time in the league.

On average, 1.81 million people watch Fever games when Clark is playing. That figure drops to just 847,000 without her, a startling 53 percent decrease. This has left the WNBA and NBA communities baffled, showcasing Clark’s authority in the league in such less time.

Throughout her career, Clark has demonstrated remarkable resilience. She participated in all 42 matches (40 regular season, 2 playoffs) with Indiana last season and played in 183 consecutive regular season and postseason games over her four years at Iowa.

The WNBA as a whole appears to be more eager than just the Indiana Fever for Caitlin Clark to return. Before her injury, Clark averaged almost a triple-double this season, scoring 19 points, dishing out 9.3 assists, and pulling down 6 rebounds in four games. The 23-year-old resumed training this week and is nearly ready to return.

Notably, this was not the first time the WNBA’s viewership fell due to Clark’s absence. During last season’s WNBA Playoffs, the league went through something similar as Clark and her Fever side were knocked out during the playoff stages. After that, the WNBA saw a major decrease in its viewership, showcasing the Fever stars’ impact on the league.

As for this season, the Fever have struggled as a team without their star on the court, going 2-3 in their last five games without her. She may have a chance to start Saturday’s WNBA game versus the New York Liberty. It remains to be seen how Clark performs once she returns to full action against the Liberty.

Angel Reese’ 2024 views on the ascent of WNBA viewership stick out

Chicago Angel Reese of Sky was eager to minimize Clark’s impact, saying that other factors were also influencing WNBA viewership. In a press conference last year, Reese implied that she was largely accountable for the WNBA’s skyrocketing audience. She was the reason people came to watch the sports, the 23-year-old told the media.

However, tickets for the Chicago Sky vs. Fever game were as cheap as $3 on a number of third-party websites. Caitlin Clark’s absence was the direct cause of this.

The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of 1 person. It’s because of me, too. I want y’all to realize that

Angel Reese said

In a marquee match at home, Angel Reese did not draw a crowd, despite her self-proclaimed fame. The Caitlin Clark impact was, if anything, amply demonstrated by the Sky vs. Fever match. The Fever guard is unquestionably the primary factor contributing to the WNBA’s growing appeal in the US and abroad.

Caitlin Clark’s presence has come in handy for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA this season

On Wednesday night, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in a decisive Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The Pacers overcame their defeat in Game 2 to win a grueling 116-107 victory and take a 2-1 series lead. Caitlin Clark, the star of the Indiana Fever, attended Game 3. Throughout the playoffs, she has gone to eight games, and her presence has had an unexpected effect.

She has appeared in eight Indiana home games, and the Pacers have an 8-0 postseason record. It seems that she is their lucky charm. Clark’s influence on games when she appears in the playoffs was recognized by FanDuel.

Given that, Indiana has to pray that Clark can make it to Friday night’s Game 4. On Saturday afternoon, the Fever will host the New York Liberty, which would present the WNBA standout with a real opportunity to return to action.

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