The Caitlin Clark Effect: WNBA Viewership Soaring Thanks to Rookie Superstar

The Indiana Fever rookie is averaging 18 points and 6.8 assists per game, and her games are attracting huge audiences.

The Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark is quickly becoming one of the most popular players in the WNBA, and her impact is being felt across the league.

In Sunday's win over the Chicago Sky, Clark put up a team-high of 23 points and nine assists, leading the Fever to a 91-83 victory. The game was the most-watched WNBA game on any network in 23 years, with an average of 2.25 million people tuning in to CBS.

The Caitlin Clark Effect: WNBA Viewership Soaring Thanks to Rookie Superstar

Clark's big night came on the heels of a rough contest against Atlanta in which the No. 1 pick had seven points, six assists and seven turnovers. But despite the expected growing pains of her first year in the pros, fans are continuing to tune in and show up to watch Clark.

Earlier this month, the WNBA announced that May marked the highest attended opening month in 26 years and the most-watched start of the season ever across every network. This unprecedented growth in viewership and attendance this season has much to do with this year's rookie class.

The Caitlin Clark Effect: WNBA Viewership Soaring Thanks to Rookie Superstar

According to the league, "four of the five moments that drove the most engagement on social channels" included highlights of Clark, Reese, Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks, or Las Vegas Aces’ Kate Martin.

"What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: The demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment," Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison said in a statement last week.

The Caitlin Clark Effect: WNBA Viewership Soaring Thanks to Rookie Superstar

"We’re encouraged by growing engagement across all our verticals, especially as we welcome new and diverse audiences into our fandom. The WNBA continues to experience sustained growth as our league embraces this heightened momentum."

Clark is a 6-foot-1 guard who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft. She was a three-time All-American at Iowa, where she led the nation in scoring and assists in her junior season.

Clark is not the only rookie making an impact in the WNBA this season. Reese, the No. 2 overall pick, is averaging 18.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for the Sky. Brink, the No. 3 overall pick, is averaging 10.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Sparks.

The WNBA is hoping that the success of Clark, Reese, Brink and other rookies will help the league continue to grow in popularity. The league has been around for 26 years, but it is still a relatively small player in the sports world.

However, the WNBA is making strides. The league has a new commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, who is committed to growing the game. The league is also getting more exposure on television and social media.

The WNBA is also benefiting from the growing popularity of women's sports in general. The US women's national soccer team has won four World Cups and the US women's basketball team has won six Olympic gold medals.

The WNBA is hoping that the success of stars like Clark, Reese and Brink will help the league reach new heights. The WNBA is a great product with great players, and it is only going to get better in the years to come.