Caitlin Clark’s early end to WNBA season has massive impact on viewership ratings
Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark's elimination from the WNBA Playoffs has had a huge impact on the viewership ratings.
Caitlin Clark
Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark have been knocked out early in the WNBA Playoffs. In her debut season, Clark was among the top players in the league and had the most following. Her exceptional play helped the Fever reach their first WNBA Playoffs since 2016.
The WNBA has seen record viewership since Clark joined the league. The Fever achieved a single-season record of 340,715 spectators, surpassing the New York Liberty’s 250,565 home attendance set in 2001, according to ESPN. However, ever since the Fever’s elimination the WNBA has seen a massive dip in the viewership ratings.
According to Sports Media Watch‘s John Lewis, the viewership numbers have dropped drastically. Sunday’s (September 29) semifinal between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty, a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals, received 929,000 views during the 3 p.m. ET period on ABC, making it the most watched semifinal game in the league in 22 years, according to ESPN.
Caitlin Clark's final WNBA playoff game: 2.54 million viewers
— OutKick (@Outkick) October 1, 2024
Best game since Clark was eliminated: 929,000 viewers
Ratings have fallen off a cliff with the rookie superstar done for the season. pic.twitter.com/STUdBH3j7p
However, it’s less than half of the 1.8 million spectators that the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever attracted for their playoff-opening game. This showcased Clark’s popularity in the league. That said, the WNBA continues to grow steadily and has made immense progress over the years. It will be intriguing to watch how the league develops further in the coming years.
Caitlin Clark sets high goals for the 2025 WNBA season
Caitlin Clark, the star player for the Indiana Fever, has been in the news a lot lately because of her team’s WNBA playoff first-round sweep. After the Fever was eliminated, Clark didn’t hesitate to voice her views about the team’s expectations for the 2025 WNBA season
Next year, we’re wanting to be a top-four seed. That’s what I believe. That’s why I’m going to do everything in my power to help this organization get there. But you’ve got to let it hurt you a little bit, and really drive you throughout the offseason.
Caitlin Clark told the media
Clark does not seem to be happy about Fever’s elimination. The team, and her, will only get stronger after their first playoff experience. After a much-needed vacation, she and her Fever colleagues will aim to improve in the 2025 WNBA season.
Kartik Mudaliar
(502 Articles Published)