Caitlin Clark Ignites WNBA Betting Frenzy, Drives Record-Breaking Opening Day Numbers

Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut sparked unprecedented betting activity, surpassing all previous records for the league. The Indiana Fever-Connecticut Sun matchup attracted six times more bets than the previous high-water mark in WNBA betting history.

Caitlin Clark's highly anticipated WNBA debut has sent shockwaves through the betting industry, propelling the league to unprecedented heights. The Indiana Fever-Connecticut Sun regular-season opener on Tuesday drew more bets than any game in the entire 2023 WNBA season, setting a new benchmark for the league's popularity among bettors.

Remarkably, the Fever-Sun matchup boasted six times more bets than the previous high-water mark in WNBA betting: last season's Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, where the Las Vegas Aces clinched their second consecutive title.

Caesars Sports, a prominent sportsbook, reported a surge in betting action, with vice president of trading Craig Mucklow predicting a continuation of this trend. "We expect records to be broken on a weekly basis, and even more so when the NBA Finals are over and the women's game gets additional prime-time TV spots," Mucklow said.

The WNBA's 10-game preseason schedule also witnessed a significant increase in betting activity. Caesars Sports reported a 385% increase in the total number of bets and a 140% increase in the total amount of money wagered, despite the games not counting towards the regular season standings.

David Lieberman, Caesars' lead pro basketball trader, attributed this growth to the anticipation surrounding Clark's debut and the overall excitement for the upcoming WNBA season. "It's already been on an upward trend year-to-year, and Clark Mania should only add to the interest," Lieberman said.

In individual betting markets, Clark is a runaway favorite in several categories. At Caesars Sports, she has garnered 63% of MVP bets and 46% of MVP money, eclipsing even two-time MVP A'ja Wilson and reigning MVP Breanna Stewart. In the Rookie of the Year market, Clark is a dominant -700 favorite, followed by Cameron Brink (+900) and Angel Reese (+2500).

Beyond Clark's individual impact, her arrival has also raised the betting profile of the Indiana Fever. The team has drawn 23% of all WNBA championship bets at Caesars, second only to the defending champion Aces. Despite their season-opening loss to Connecticut, the Fever's odds to win the title have improved from +3000 to +2000.

Mucklow believes that Clark is not the only factor driving the increased interest in WNBA betting. "With the huge influx of talent in this year's WNBA Draft adding to an already loaded wealth of veteran players, this year's WNBA handle will eclipse anything we have seen before," he said.

The WNBA's rising popularity among bettors is a testament to the growing appeal of women's sports and the league's continued efforts to showcase its elite talent. With bright stars like Caitlin Clark emerging, the future of WNBA betting looks as promising as ever.