Former Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark made history by being drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Her impact on the league was immediate, as her Indiana Fever jerseys sold out within just one hour on Fanatics, across all sizes. Clark’s incredible collegiate career at Iowa, where she became the NCAA DI’s all-time leading scorer, a four-time AP All-American, and a two-time AP Player of the Year, contributed to a surge in women’s basketball interest. Her Final Four matchup against UConn drew a staggering 14.2 million viewers, breaking records for basketball viewership.
The championship game between Iowa and South Carolina set a new record with an average of 18.7 million viewers, peaking at 24.1 million, surpassing any basketball game, including NBA games, in the last five years. With Clark now in the WNBA, the Indiana Fever, who were lucky to have drafted her, will have 36 of their 40 games nationally televised this season, compared to only 22 games last season. This increased exposure reflects the high expectations for Clark to replicate the success she had in increasing viewership during her college career. The defending champion Las Vegas Aces even moved their game against the Fever to a larger arena to accommodate more fans.
Clark’s WNBA debut is set for May 14 against the Connecticut Sun, with her first home game two days later against the New York Liberty. This matchup will also mark the first meeting between Clark and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, who could potentially be her teammate at the NBA’s All-Star weekend festivities in 2025. The Fever’s season opener will showcase not only Clark’s talent but also the arrival of other notable players from the talented draft class, including Cameron Brink from Stanford and Kamilla Cardoso from South Carolina. The Chicago Sky also drafted former LSU star Angel Reese with the No. 7 pick.
Clark’s rapid success in the WNBA is a continuation of her remarkable achievements during her college career, further solidifying her status as a future star in women’s basketball. Her ability to draw in a massive audience and increase viewership in both NCAA and professional basketball is evident in the unprecedented ratings she has generated. With her talent, work ethic, and fan appeal, Clark is poised to make a lasting impact on the WNBA and continue to elevate the profile of women’s basketball as a whole. Fans have eagerly awaited her debut and the potential for new rivalries and exciting matchups in the league.
