When it comes to the WNBA, it seems like Caitlin Clark can do it all—except keep the viewership intact after her team’s playoff exit! In the wake of the Indiana Fever’s early elimination, WNBA legend Sue Bird isn’t holding back on her thoughts about what happened to those TV numbers. Spoiler alert: she’s fuming! If you think you’ve seen a Sue Bird three-pointer, wait till you hear her three-pointer of a rant on viewership.
The WNBA Playoffs’ Great Vanishing Act: Where Did the Viewers Go?
The Indiana Fever, led by rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, hit a brick wall against the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. The result? A swift elimination and a notable drop in eyeballs on TV screens nationwide. Bird, a four-time WNBA champion, discussed the numbers during Wednesday’s episode of the “A Touch More” podcast, giving a courtside commentary on the sudden dip in viewership.
According to ESPN PR, the Fever’s elimination game drew a jaw-dropping 2.5 million viewers, the highest cable audience in WNBA history. But hold onto your stats sheets—once Clark was out, those impressive digits started dropping faster than a loose ball in the paint. The semifinals couldn’t even crack one million viewers across the first three games. Ouch!
Sue Bird’s “Big Fat F” Grade for Double Standards
Bird’s frustration is as clear as a wide-open layup. “It really gets my blood boiling,” she said, and who can blame her? The semi-final games may not have hit the Clark-craze peak, but they were still sky-high compared to years past. Bird pointed out that the WNBA viewership, even without the Fever’s star, is higher than ever before. But why are women’s sports always under such harsh scrutiny?
And Bird didn’t stop there. She slammed the double standard, comparing it to how the NBA skates by when its numbers drop. “This year, the Celtics and the Mavs were in the Finals. That viewership was amazing. But lower than when LeBron’s in it, lower than when Steph Curry’s in it, and yet, we don’t hear anyone speaking on the Celtics and the Mavs,” she said.
Talk about a flagrant foul on the media!
Caitlin Clark: The Real MVP (Most Viewable Player)
But let’s not pretend the Fever’s exit wasn’t a significant hit. Clark’s elimination game set records: 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds, one steal, and a block—all while playing every single minute. The game drew an audience peak of 3.4 million viewers. Compare that to last year’s first-round snoozefest, and you’re looking at a whopping 507% increase. Yes, you read that right: 507%! Forget about stats padding—Clark’s setting new standards.
In fact, her impact isn’t just on viewership; it’s on jerseys, too! Clark and fellow rookie sensation Angel Reese are dominating the sales charts, owning the top two spots for the best-selling jerseys in the first half of 2024. To say these two have put the WNBA on the map is an understatement. They’ve basically rewritten it.
Sue Bird’s Parting Shot: The Viewership Is Still a Slam Dunk
Bird ended her rant with a final zinger, reminding everyone that WNBA viewership numbers are still breaking records from previous seasons. “These numbers are still really high, and they still show and tell a story of the viewership that is being gained in the WNBA,” she stated, sounding less like a player and more like a very enthusiastic math teacher. And she’s right—Caitlin Clark or no Caitlin Clark, the WNBA has been making strides.
But, hey, who wouldn’t miss Clark? She’s like that friend who leaves the party, and suddenly, it just doesn’t feel as lively anymore. The Fever’s gone cold, but Bird wants us to remember that the league is still heating up.
So, whether you’re a die-hard Clark fan or a casual viewer just tuning in, one thing’s clear: the WNBA isn’t going anywhere. And with stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Sue Bird keeping the conversation lively, we’ll be glued to our screens for many seasons to come—whether the numbers show it or not.