Latest news with #CaitlinClarkEffect
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa veteran battles through illness on Appalachian Trail journey
WHO 13 NEWS – Iowa veteran Joedy VanVelzen surpassed 800 miles, meaning he is one-third of the way done hiking the Appalachian Trail: an expedition that extends nearly 2,200 miles between Georgia and Maine and passes through 14 states. Over the weekend, VanVelzen was at a veteran support stay in Glasgow, Virginia, recovering from Norovirus. He called it a 'minor setback' and is already back on the trail. Earning his trail name 'Unicorn,' this mythical creature has covered a lot of ground even through a couple of health challenges, proving his physical strength and mental toughness. The Caitlin Clark Effect: About 3 in 10 US adults follow women's sports, new poll finds Last week, VanVelzen posted on his Facebook page that he had to make a stop at the VA Hospital in the Salem/Roanoke area of Virginia so doctors could check out a spider bite. After that was taken care of, he was back to hiking and taking lots of photos of the nature and beautiful scenery. VanVelzen has less than 1,400 miles to go until the end of the trail in Maine. He hopes to get there by the last week of August. If you'd like to follow along, follow his Facebook page: On the Appalachian Trail with Joedy Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark can make the entire WNBA rich
The 2024 WNBA season was historic, enjoying unprecedented growth. Much of this attention is attributed to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. In college, she single-handedly elevated college basketball. Her transition to the WNBA was remarkably smooth, setting multiple WNBA records en route to being named WNBA Rookie of the Year. The numbers tell a story that places Clark among some of the most influential players ever to play not only in the WNBA, but also in the same stratosphere as NBA players who left indelible marks on their game. Prior to the 2024 season, the highest average home attendance ever for any WNBA team was 16,202, set in 2002 by the Washington Mystics. This record was not eclipsed until 2024, with the Fever averaging 17,036 per game. To put this number into perspective, the second-highest average home attendance in 2024 was 12,729 for the New York Liberty, the reigning WNBA champion. In addition, the Fever's average home attendance in 2023 was 4,066, ranking it second-to-last amongst all WNBA teams. This means that the Fever's 2024 average home attendance was over four times higher than their 2023 average home attendance. This captures the Caitlin Clark Effect. It follows the Fever on the road. Their 2024 average road attendance was 15,131, over 4,400 more people than the second-highest road attendance average (for the Chicago Sky, 10,676, with rookie phenom Angel Reese on their roster). Not surprisingly, the largest home attendances for eight of the other 11 WNBA teams occurred when they played the Fever. The scarcity of tickets for Fever games has pushed ticket prices in the secondary market to unprecedented levels. How can a single person have such an enormous influence on a team, let alone an entire sport? Anyone who has watched Clark play knows why. She thrills fans with creative passing and a willingness to take long-range threes. Every possession has the potential to be magical. Opinion: Why Muslim-owned coffee shops are Indy's best late-night hangouts The Caitlin Clark Effect extends beyond the Fever and even the WNBA. Women's basketball is already very popular in high school and at the college level. Clark will give even more young girls and women a reason to pursue the opportunity to 'play like Cait." Yet, Clark's arrival has highlighted several issues of fairness. Objectively, arguments that WNBA and NBA players should be paid the same are misguided. Salaries ultimately come from revenue streams, and if revenue streams for the NBA are 100 times higher than for the WNBA, then salaries will be similarly affected. The gap is so large that the highest paid WNBA player earns less money than the lowest paid NBA player. Such a disparity cannot be overcome in one season. Clark has the potential to make a dent in this situation, though, as she is single-handedly moving attendance numbers for the Fever to be on par with average home attendance for NBA teams. In fact, the 2024 Fever average home attendance was higher than the average home attendance for five NBA teams (Hornets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Wizards, Hawks) in the 2023-2024 season and seven teams in the 2024-2025 season (Hawks, Kings, Pelicans, Wizards, Grizzlies, Pacers, and Clippers). As more revenue flows to WNBA teams, it will lead to higher contracts for all players. Then there are endorsement deals. Clark had numerous NIL contracts while in college that netted her an estimated $3.1 million. Such deals accelerated once she jumped to the WNBA. Of course, NBA teams play twice as many games as WNBA teams. NBA ticket prices are also higher than WNBA ticket prices, and the NBA has lucrative television agreements, all providing tailwinds for higher player contracts. It remains to be seen if the Caitlin Clark Effect is sustainable for the Fever, and most importantly, for other teams. Professional sports, including women's basketball, is entertainment, with grownups playing a child's sport. If the entertainment level can be enhanced, then the rising tide will benefit all teams and the league. Right now, Clark is carrying the weight of the WNBA on her shoulders. If she can get some help to ease her burden, the WNBA is in store for a wild ride. Sheldon H. Jacobson is a professor of computer science in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He applies data-driven, risk-based decision-making to evaluate and inform public policy. He is the founder of Bracketodds, a STEM learning lab showcasing the mathematics of March Madness. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Caitlin Clark Effect will lead to more WNBA sellouts, cash | Opinion
Indianapolis Star
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Caitlin Clark can make the entire WNBA rich
The 2024 WNBA season was historic, enjoying unprecedented growth. Much of this attention is attributed to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. In college, she single-handedly elevated college basketball. Her transition to the WNBA was remarkably smooth, setting multiple WNBA records en route to being named WNBA Rookie of the Year. The numbers tell a story that places Clark among some of the most influential players ever to play not only in the WNBA, but also in the same stratosphere as NBA players who left indelible marks on their game. WNBA attendance is off the charts Prior to the 2024 season, the highest average home attendance ever for any WNBA team was 16,202, set in 2002 by the Washington Mystics. This record was not eclipsed until 2024, with the Fever averaging 17,036 per game. To put this number into perspective, the second-highest average home attendance in 2024 was 12,729 for the New York Liberty, the reigning WNBA champion. In addition, the Fever's average home attendance in 2023 was 4,066, ranking it second-to-last amongst all WNBA teams. This means that the Fever's 2024 average home attendance was over four times higher than their 2023 average home attendance. This captures the Caitlin Clark Effect. It follows the Fever on the road. Their 2024 average road attendance was 15,131, over 4,400 more people than the second-highest road attendance average (for the Chicago Sky, 10,676, with rookie phenom Angel Reese on their roster). Not surprisingly, the largest home attendances for eight of the other 11 WNBA teams occurred when they played the Fever. The scarcity of tickets for Fever games has pushed ticket prices in the secondary market to unprecedented levels. The Caitlin Clark Effect is more than just hype How can a single person have such an enormous influence on a team, let alone an entire sport? Anyone who has watched Clark play knows why. She thrills fans with creative passing and a willingness to take long-range threes. Every possession has the potential to be magical. The Caitlin Clark Effect extends beyond the Fever and even the WNBA. Women's basketball is already very popular in high school and at the college level. Clark will give even more young girls and women a reason to pursue the opportunity to 'play like Cait." Yet, Clark's arrival has highlighted several issues of fairness. Objectively, arguments that WNBA and NBA players should be paid the same are misguided. Salaries ultimately come from revenue streams, and if revenue streams for the NBA are 100 times higher than for the WNBA, then salaries will be similarly affected. The gap is so large that the highest paid WNBA player earns less money than the lowest paid NBA player. Such a disparity cannot be overcome in one season. Clark is already making the WNBA richer Clark has the potential to make a dent in this situation, though, as she is single-handedly moving attendance numbers for the Fever to be on par with average home attendance for NBA teams. In fact, the 2024 Fever average home attendance was higher than the average home attendance for five NBA teams (Hornets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Wizards, Hawks) in the 2023-2024 season and seven teams in the 2024-2025 season (Hawks, Kings, Pelicans, Wizards, Grizzlies, Pacers, and Clippers). As more revenue flows to WNBA teams, it will lead to higher contracts for all players. Then there are endorsement deals. Clark had numerous NIL contracts while in college that netted her an estimated $3.1 million. Such deals accelerated once she jumped to the WNBA. Of course, NBA teams play twice as many games as WNBA teams. NBA ticket prices are also higher than WNBA ticket prices, and the NBA has lucrative television agreements, all providing tailwinds for higher player contracts. It remains to be seen if the Caitlin Clark Effect is sustainable for the Fever, and most importantly, for other teams. Professional sports, including women's basketball, is entertainment, with grownups playing a child's sport. If the entertainment level can be enhanced, then the rising tide will benefit all teams and the league. Right now, Clark is carrying the weight of the WNBA on her shoulders. If she can get some help to ease her burden, the WNBA is in store for a wild ride. Sheldon H. Jacobson is a professor of computer science in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He applies data-driven, risk-based decision-making to evaluate and inform public policy. He is the founder of Bracketodds
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark's return to Iowa for WNBA exhibition game to be broadcast on ESPN, reports say
DES MOINES, Iowa — When Caitlin Clark returns to Carver-Hawkeye Arena in May, there won't be just a sold-out crowd hoping to witness some of her signature logo threes; a nationally televised audience will also be watching. The Athletic reports that the Indiana Fever guard's trip back to the University of Iowa in Iowa City for a May 4th exhibition game against the Brazilian National Team will be broadcast on ESPN. It is believed to be the first nationally televised WNBA exhibition game. The former Hawkeye's #22 hangs in the rafters at Carver-Hawkeye, after it was retired in a February 2nd ceremony. The Caitlin Clark Effect: More stories Clark broke the NCAA career-points record for the NCAA in her senior season at Iowa, tallying 3,951 points. She's the all-time leading men's or women's scorer in NCAA DI history. The Indiana Fever drafted Clark #1 in 2024, and she went on to have a stellar rookie season. She broke the WNBA season assist record with 337 and also broke a rookie record for points with 769. She tallied up 122 three-pointers, which was the second-most in WNBA history. Tickets to Fever's exhibition game against the Brazilian National Team went on sale February 27th and were all snatched up in just over a half an hour by Kinnick Society Gold and I-Club level donors and Iowa women's basketball season ticket holders. The tickets never made it to a public sale. The Athletic reports tipoff for the May 4th game will be at 5:00 p.m. on ESPN. If there is a Game 7 in the NBA playoffs, the exhibition game would be moved to ESPN2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Metro brewery gives back as Girls State Basketball brings economic boost to Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa — Day two of the Girls State Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena will continue to draw thousands of people into Iowa's capital city, and the economic impact is expected to be huge. Catch Des Moines President and CEO, Greg Edwards, said between 10,000 and 20,000 people are expected to travel to Des Moines on peak days of the tournament. This week alone can boost the Des Moines economy by $750,000, as athletes, teams, and families check out local shops. More: The Caitlin Clark Effect 'It's also been known for many years that the young high school ladies that are in town like to shop for their prom dresses this time of year, so they'll be hitting some of the malls and shops around Des Moines,' said Edwards. One of the local eateries attracting basketball fans in town is the Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company (CABCO), located at 3rd Street and Court Avenue. About two weeks ago, they unveiled a massive Nike advertisement for Caitlin Clark that was posted along the side of their building, and new menu items to honor her legacy. They include the From the Logo Burger, which was inspired by her love for breakfast sandwiches, and two special brews, one is a light lager and the other is a seltzer. A dollar from each of the Caitlin Clark menu items will go towards the Caitlin Clark Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of youth and their communities through education, nutrition, and sports. Highlights from day 1 of Iowa high school girls state basketball tournament The inside of the brewery is also decorated with a background for photos, displaying golden '22' balloons, signifying Clark's jersey number. Plus, they're also raffling off Clark merch. 'We felt like, if we were going to get this much attention and stuff like that, we might as well use it for good. We like to help out the community in any way that we can, supporting local schools,' said Bob Trader, CABCO's general manager. The rain and snow in the forecast won't be a hindrance for visitors to reach CABCO, as the brewery is connected to the Wells Fargo Arena through the Des Moines skywalks. What to expect as winter blast brings blizzard conditions to Iowa 'I felt great': Hannah Stuelke turns excellent all-around game in Hawkeyes win Iowa House lawmakers unanimously advance bill requiring feminine hygiene products in public schools Iowa bill that bans administrating mRNA vaccines advances out of subcommittee ISU student accused of sexually exploiting minors on social media Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
