Caitlin Clark brings in 2.1million viewers on TV for her WNBA debut, making it the most-watched league game in over two decades
Caitlin Clark brings in 2.1million viewers on TV for her WNBA debut, making it the most-watched league game in over two decades.
Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut averaged 2.1million viewers on TV, Tuesday, making it the most-watched professional women’s basketball game in over 20 years.
Despite the 21-year-old point guard’s first league game of the season ending up in a blowout loss to the Connecticut Sun, fans tuned into ESPN2 for the Indiana Fever’s away contest last night.
What’s more is that Clark and Co. gained more viewers than two NBA Christmas Day games last year, according to Joe Pompliano.
Betting also was six times higher on Caesars Sportsbook for the Fever’s 92-71 loss than Game 4 of the Las Vegas Aces’ final victory over the New York Liberty in last season’s WNBA Finals.
Clark’s debut ended up being the most-bet game at Caesars over any WNBA game last season, too.
Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut had more viewership than two NBA Christmas Day games last year.
Wagering on that game helped propel betting on the league overall, with the number of tickets up 516 percent at Caesars over last year’s opening night and the amount of money up 84 percent.
The Fever-Sun game also was the most-bet WNBA game ever on BetMGM, though specific numbers weren’t immediately available.
Clark’s over/under of 20.5 points was the most-bet proposition wager at that sportsbook in the WNBA and NBA. She scored 20 points, overcoming a slow start that included 10 turnovers for the game.
Clark was the second-most popular selection among men and women over the past week on the fantasy site PrizePicks. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards was ahead of Clark, putting her ahead of such players as Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum.
Clark scored 20 points, overcoming a slow start that included 10 turnovers on Tuesday night.
The number of picks on the site for all WNBA games was 185 percent higher than last year’s opening night.
Clark has been expected to lift the WNBA to new heights, similar to what she did over the past two years in leading Iowa to the national championship game in back-to-back seasons. Her style was a big part of the increased interest in women’s basketball, with Clark willing to regularly shoot from the midcourt logo as she became the NCAA’s Division I all-time scoring leader in her four years with the Hawkeyes.
The Fever selected her with the No. 1 overall pick this year, but Indiana remains in rebuilding mode even with Clark and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston. The Sun played in the WNBA Finals just two seasons ago, losing in four games to the Aces. They made the semifinals last season before losing in four games to the Liberty.
‘Disappointed and nobody likes to lose, that’s how it is,’ Clark said after the loss to the Sun. ‘Can’t beat yourself up too much about one game.’
News
“Troubled” Clark and Her $20 Million Nike Deal Called into Question as Aces’ Owner Faces WNBA Funding Probe
The Las Vegas Aces are the two-time defending champs but they have taken a backseat to the Indiana Fever due to Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA. The Fever made the former Iowa superstar the No. 1 pick in this year’s…
Caitlin Had to Sit on the Bench while ‘In Good form’ because of Her own Mistaken Decision, which Led to Heavy Criticism of Her coach. Is this Considered ‘Personal Vendetta’?
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever suffered their fifth loss of the season, in their fifth game. Clark and the Fever haven’t been able to connect the dots to claw out a victory. They started the season getting blown out by…
“True Friendship” Nika Muhl has always received Support from Former Teammate Paige Bueckers since the Early Days of WNBA “This is the one”. I don’t expect them to be “Competitors” in the future.
Paige Bueckers is following the journey of all her ex-UConn Huskies teammates, who have taken steps into the WNBA. She took to X to share league rookie Nika Muhl’s edgy outfit she chose to wear in the tunnel before a…
Jewell Loyd – Caitlin’s opponent, sent her four messages after the Fever vs. Storm game just took place and the Fever lost five games in a row: “Everyone’s journey is different.”
Not many would understand the pressure that Caitlin Clark feels at any given moment. However, another first-round pick can certainly try to. Although pressing the fact that everyone’s journey in the W is different, Jewell Loyd still shares what her rookie year was like….
Astounding!!! Nika Muhl’s mid-court shot before the Seattle Storm vs Minnesota Lynx game had everyone “gasping”. This is why, despite encountering “unplayable” troubles earlier, Nika always finds a spot in the starting lineup???
Nika Muhl has become a women’s basketball fan favorite over the past two months. While the Croatian guard was already popular among UConn fans during her NCAA tenure, Muhl’s excellent defense against Caitlin Clark during the 2024 NCAA tournament made fans fall…
End of content
No more pages to load
