Caitlin Clark-less WNBA Struggling to Garner Fans’ Interest

An injury has forced Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark to sit out the past five games in her second season in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark-less WNBA Struggling to Garner Fans’ Interest

WNBA struggling to attract viewers with Caitlin Clark out (Image via FirstSportz)

Before even the first whistle blew in the 2025 WNBA season, a section of fans and analysts questioned if the league could sustain the growth it experienced in 2024. They believed that Caitlin Clark could only do so much, and the likes of Paige Bueckers and others had to step up.

Ticket sales and preseason merchandise sales continued to dispel that notion, as the Indiana Fever superstar was ahead of the rest by leaps and bounds. The season started off with a bang, and the season opener featuring Clark and Angel Reese topped their viewership numbers from last season.

It all seemed to go well. However, the league and many of those who discredit the Iowa superstar for the growth of the WNBA, as well as women’s sports, did not count on how an injury could derail all that growth. The 23-year-old has missed the past five games, and initially, it was feared that her loss could have a minimal impact.

Ticket prices dropped to season lows, both of the Indiana Fever as well as those of their opponents. Usually, where Fever games result in sold-out arenas, many noticed the empty seats. Clark did her part by appearing courtside, signing autographs, and greeting fans.

Her appearances both at home and on the road did help mitigate late-game ticket cancellations. However, those viewing at home could not see Clark for more than a few seconds in the game. Therefore, many of them stopped watching.

As per USA Today, 847,000 average viewers tuned in to watch Fever’s national TV games since her injury. That is 53% down from the 1,810,000 average viewers who tuned in before she got hurt, quite a significant fall.

WNBA hopes Caitlin Clark returns in the next game

The drop in viewership numbers is not just restricted to the Indiana Fever. USA Today confirmed that overall, the WNBA’s viewership numbers are down by 55%. If anything, this is confirmation that Caitlin Clark‘s influence spreads league-wide.

This drop in numbers might be sending chills down the back of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert as well as her top lieutenants. They were hoping this season would help them further make it evident that the women’s league is the place to invest in.

Clark is scheduled to return to the lineup when the Fever welcomes the defending champion New York Liberty. Engelbert hopes Clark returns to play, or else more fans will avoid watching the women’s games. The Fever, on the other hand, hopes that her return helps to rejuvenate their performances on the court.

Fever needs Caitlin Clark to jumpstart a winning run

The WNBA might need Caitlin Clark to bring back fans to watch its games. In the case of the Indiana Fever, they need her to jumpstart their struggling offense. They managed to win two of the five games when Clark was out.

Fever needs Caitlin Clark to return to the team soon
Fever needs Caitlin Clark to return to the team soon (Image via Indiana Fever/X)

However, the Fever’s offense stuttered in the last game against the Atlanta Dream. They could not get into favorable scoring positions and struggled against their opponents’ swarming defensive schemes. To get past it, they need their playmaking wizard back.

Against the Liberty, Clark will just be returning, therefore, they might lose that game too. But after that, they have a string of games they can try and win, every single one of them. The franchise has to get back on track if they are to climb the overall standings.

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