WNBA News: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever Deliver Record Ratings for ABC, ESPN
After four games, she’s accomplishing that.
A record number of viewers watched Saturday’s WNBA game when Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty defeated Clark’s Indiana Fever. It was Clark’s third career WNBA game. The game was viewed by 1.71 million people, according to ESPN, making it the most viewed WNBA game on ABC ever. The game on Saturday had a peak audience of 1.96 million.
The greatest-ever WNBA Opening Weekend doubleheader on ABC also aired on Saturday. The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in the second game of the doubleheader, while the Liberty defeated the Fever in the first. Over the course of the two games, 1.5 million viewers on average tuned in, a 143 percent increase fromClark is bringing a level of popularity to the WNBA that it has never had before and has virtually single-handedly revolutionized the perception of the league.
In record time, Clark’s jerseys flew off the Fanatics racks, and rival teams had to relocate to bigger stadiums to accommodate the enormous number of fans eager to see her play. In her early WNBA career, Clark has already created history on several occasions. She became the first-ever WNBA player to sign a contract with Wilson Sporting Goods Co. when it was announced on Tuesday. Additionally, she is the first sportsperson to sign with Wilson since Michael Jordan.Even though the Fever are 0–4 so far this season, Clark is still entertaining. She’s shooting 41.2 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 100% from the free throw line to average 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in four games.The Fever lost 88-84 on Monday despite having their best all-around performance to date. They also had a chance to force OT by making a game-tying layup. With what appeared to be an ankle injury near the conclusion of the second quarter, Clark had to leave the game. However, he was able to return at the beginning of the third quarter and finish the game.
The next game between the Fever and the Seattle Storm is scheduled for Wednesday. Then, on Friday and Saturday, they take on the Sparks and Aces in a back-to-back. Since all three games are away, there should be more sizable attendance strewn with Clark jerseys.
June 1st is the Fever’s next scheduled ESPN game.