Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese effect rockets WNBA teams social value over World Series winners
WNBA superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese helped the league amass millions of new fans in their rookie season.
Follow Us
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark spearheading WNBA social media growth
The surge the WNBA has seen over the past season has seen them come to the forefront of all sports-based discussions. Once only talked about in bits and pieces, the league’s leading stalwarts, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese became household names, and in turn dragged the league into the spotlight.
That saw the duo help set new viewership and attendance records as they played. The league also saw massive growth in overall merchandise sales and companies were lining up to partner the league. They saw that the WNBA was the next big thing and wanted to be a part of it.
One of the prime reasons brands and companies saw potential was the way the two superstar rookies were talked about on social media. Discourse surrounding them was flooding the internet and social media sites saw a lot of engaging traffic.
Brand analytics firm Zoomph listed sports teams that had breakout years in social media engagement. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese had their respective teams on it. But they showed their ability to draw audiences when Zoomph ranked them top two among all sports teams in the country.
Their impact also saw it being spread to the entire WNBA as four teams packed the top 5. Collectively, along with the Seattle Storm, WNBA teams left the likes of NBA teams with young superstars, MLB World Series teams Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, and a couple of NFL teams as well.
To surpass top MLB, NFL and NBA teams to generate the most social media growth is staggering in itself. Clark and Reese have started a revolution that has seen the WNBA grow at a faster pace than any brand. Now for their own teams to benefit, shows how much these rookies have changed the game.
WNBA will bank on Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and possibly Paige Bueckers to keep growing
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will battle a staggering five times next season. Once the schedule was unveiled, it was evident that the WNBA is looking to cash in on their rivalry. Clark alone draws an average of a million viewers.
Paired with Reese, that number doubles as fans want to see their college rivalry continue. The league would also like it if both of them are in the playoffs. Last season, Clark’s first ever playoff games helped the league see a massive increase in viewership which eventually spilled over to the WNBA finals.
If both of them are in the playoffs, this spread of viewership will help more teams garner sales and generate income. Another factor that can help spread the attention is when Paige Bueckers comes in. If she goes to the Dallas Wings, she will bring along her millions of fans as well.
Factor in Cameron Brink and the league should continue growing at a rapid pace. With the billions set to come in from the 2026 season, teams are already building facilities to help their star players shine on national television.
Stay Updated!
Joseph Varghese
(2297 Articles Published)