Move over, NBA—there’s a new show in town, and it’s brought to you by the electrifying duo of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. These two wunderkinds are turning the WNBA into must-see TV, and the numbers are nothing short of astronomical.
Imagine this: on April 15, the WNBA Draft raked in a whopping 2.4 million viewers, a casual 307% hike from last year. Clearly, everyone and their grandma wanted to see where these phenoms would land. Fast forward to the All-Star game, and the viewership jumped to an eye-popping 3.44 million, with a peak at 4.1 million. If that doesn’t make your jaw drop, you might need to check your pulse.
High Fives and Higher Ratings
Picture this: Clark (22) and Reese exchanging a high five during the 2024 All-Star game, a moment so iconic it could sell ice to an Eskimo. Who knew a simple high five could symbolize the meteoric rise of the WNBA?
Breaking Records Like They’re Going Out of Style
This season, Clark’s Indiana Fever and Reese’s Chicago Sky have turned their games into prime-time events. Two of their clashes have smashed the 2 million viewer mark. To put it in perspective, that’s like the entire population of New Mexico tuning in. Twice.
Merch Mania
As if dominating the airwaves wasn’t enough, Clark and Reese have turned the league’s merchandise sales into a cash cow. Fanatics reports a 500% surge in league merch sales and a staggering 1,000% increase in player-specific items. Not surprisingly, Clark and Reese jerseys are flying off the shelves faster than you can say “slam dunk.” The Fever, Sky, Liberty, Aces, and Storm lead the pack in merchandise sales, proving that a good game and a good jersey go hand-in-hand.
The Historic Season You Can’t Miss
This season isn’t just breaking records; it’s obliterating them. Seventeen games have crossed the 1 million-viewer threshold, with Clark starring in 15 of them. That’s right, the WNBA hadn’t seen those kinds of numbers in 16 years. Talk about a comeback!
What’s Next?
The WNBA takes a short break as the world’s attention shifts to the Paris Olympics. But mark your calendars for August 15 when the league returns. With an MVP race led by A’ja Wilson, a Rookie of the Year contest (spoiler: Clark is the frontrunner), and potential playoff berths for Clark and Reese’s teams, there’s plenty more drama to unfold.
So, buckle up, sports fans. The WNBA is back and better than ever, thanks to the unstoppable force that is Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Stay tuned, because this historic season is only just heating up.