Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese WNBA showdown sets viewership record

The WNBA has a long way to go before the benefits from these sellout matches materialize.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese WNBA showdown sets viewership record

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's 3rd WNBA showdown sets new viewership record as highest viewed game in the past 23 years

The last time Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went up against each other in a WNBA game, it set a record for viewership. Therefore, when they were scheduled to meet up for the 3rd time since turning pro, it was expected that fans across the world would tune in to watch the rivalry unfold. The game turned out to be a classic and it helped set another viewership record.

The last time they met, 2.25 million fans tuned in to take in the action. This time, ESPN revealed that the number went up to 2.3 million, peaking at 3.3 million. For a regular season game, that is an astonishing number considering the NBA averages less than that despite having a much more entertaining setup. Both Clark and Reese may not acknowledge that they are direct rivals. But the way their story from college to pro has panned out, everyone associated with the sport will agree that it is a rivalry.

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Magic Johnson was of the opinion that this rivalry would transform the WNBA, much like how it did when he and Larry Bird went head-to-head. The NBA and its players have been reaping the rewards to this day. A day where $300 million contracts are now considered normal.

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The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has already impacted the popularity of their teams and their teammates. Therefore, it will not be long before other players and teams also benefit.

WNBA Commissioners Cup winners get only $40,000 each

The WNBA Commissioners Cup is a tournament that the league started in 2020. The NBA’s In-Season Tournament derived its format from the women’s tournament. Therefore, after several qualifying games, the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty squared off today to determine the winners.

The Liberty got off to a hot start from Sabrina Ionescu. However, the Lynx capitalized on turnovers and eventually won the game. But what they received in prize money was startling. The winning team would get $500,000 to be distributed amongst players. Which meant, each player would get approximately $40,000. A paltry sum when compared to what the Los Angeles Lakers players made by winning the In-Season Tournament. They each won exactly what the WNBA gave the entire Lynx squad.

The gulf in income is not doing justice to what these women are putting out on the court. If anything can change it, it will be the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. By raising the awareness of the game, everyone will benefit. Therefore, there could be a bigger prize money next season.

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