Caitlin Clark's affect continues to be felt within the WNBA, because the No. 1 general choose's affect on the numbers continues to develop.
After a month of headlines following Clark's entry, W announced It was reported Monday that greater than 400,000 followers attended video games in Could. Attendance final month was the very best in 26 years, which is spectacular contemplating the league is in its twenty eighth season.
Moreover, the league's viewership has elevated considerably since Clark's arrival.
WNBA video games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and CBS are averaging 1.32 million viewers — practically 3 times final season’s norm of 462,200 viewers.
Indiana's recreation in opposition to the Connecticut Solar on Could 14, recreation in opposition to the New York Liberty on Could 18, and recreation in opposition to the Solar on Could 20 all set viewership data because the most-watched WNBA video games on their respective networks.
Caitlin Clark's freshman 12 months helped lead WNBA numbers via first month of season
The primary recreation, performed between Indiana and Connecticut on Could 14, averaged 2.12 million viewers.
The opening night time recreation between Indiana and Connecticut on Could 14 averaged 2.12 million viewers on ESPN 2, Could 18 averaged 1.71 million viewers on ABC, and Could 20 averaged 1.56 million viewers on ESPN.
The sturdy rookie class coming into the WNBA Draft in April additionally contributed to the general enhance, as three new gamers ranked within the high 5 in jersey gross sales.
Merchandise gross sales elevated by 236 p.c in comparison with the earlier season, with Clarke, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink all ranked within the high 5.
In the course of the first two weeks of the season, WNBA League Move subscriptions tripled and reached the very best common minutes watched in historical past. Subscriptions via Could 2023 elevated 335 p.c final month.
Ultimately, stadiums had been stuffed to a median of 94 p.c capability – a 17 p.c enhance from the earlier season.
The WNBA introduced Monday that greater than 400,000 followers attended video games in Could
Clark and teammates Angel Reese and Cameron Brink are within the high 5 for jersey gross sales
Within the first month, all of the league's stadiums had been stuffed to a median of 94 p.c capability
In a press launch, WNBA Chief Improvement Officer Coley Addison mentioned the current elevate is a tangible signal of their confidence within the league.
“What’s occurring now in ladies’s basketball confirms what we’ve all the time recognized: The demand is there, and girls’s sports activities are a useful funding,” Ellison mentioned.
“We’re excited by the rising participation throughout all of our areas, particularly as we welcome a brand new and numerous viewers to our fan base,” Ellison mentioned. “The WNBA is experiencing continued progress as our league adapts to this elevated momentum.”
