WNBA Ratings Are in Following Caitlin Clark's Injury, and Hoo Boy

Yahoo

21 hours ago

Caitlin Clark's absence due to a strained left quad has had a significant impact on WNBA television ratings. We knew it would. To what degree was the only question.
That question has now been answered. And if there were ever a sign for the league to get into gear and start protecting and promoting their most popular player, it is this.
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Nationally televised viewership has dropped by 55% since her injury, according to an analysis by USA Today.
The Indiana Fever's national TV games have seen a 53% decline, averaging 1.81 million viewers before the injury and 847,000 since.
While an overly simplistic calculation, Clark's presence, or the lack thereof at the moment, is worth over half the value of the league and her franchise in terms of television ratings. Wow!
Caitlin Clark Right Now IS the WNBA
Caitlin Clark, now in her sophomore season after a Rookie of the Year campaign, has only played four games thus far, averaging 19 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, including a triple-double in the season opener.
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The Fever, with a 4-5 record, is cautiously managing Clark's recovery, with her next possible game against the New York Liberty on June 14.
Clark's absence highlights her significant impact on the league, affecting both viewership and team performance.
Which makes it utterly baffling that the WNBA earlier this season tried to smear her fans with false allegations of racism by launching a faux investigation. That investigation yielded no evidence of any untoward behavior by the Fever fans, but it allowed critics to paint them with a broad brush as being obnoxious for a couple of weeks.
Scaring off Clark's fans is bad business. These ratings are more proof of that.
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RELATED: Senator Wants an Apology From Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and the WNBA Over False Racism Accusations Against Fans
A Legend Sees Her Greatness
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, a former Los Angeles Sparks superstar, spoke to Sports Illustrated recently about Clark's influence and praised the Fever guard for her transformative impact on the league.
Leslie highlighted Clark's ability to draw massive fan interest, noting that games are sold out and some teams have moved to larger arenas to accommodate demand.
'It's going to be exciting, so I'm sure fans will tune in. Everything's already sold out,' she said of the current season's expectations. 'And some teams, when Caitlin comes to town, they've already had to get into larger arenas.'
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'So all of those things about the Caitlin Clark effect are true.'
The ratings back that up. Fortunately, her injury is only expected to keep her out for two weeks, with her return anticipated very soon. The way opposing players go after her should certainly make WNBA officials a bit nervous going forward.
Also Read:: WNBA's Bright Future: Lisa Leslie Credits Caitlin Clark for League's Growth, Touts Her 'Amazing Impact'
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