1 week Ago By Dan Agulto, Hardwood Heroics
Caitlin Clark is the only one benefitting from the adjustments the Fever and other WNBA teams are making to accommodate a larger audience for games she plays in. At least, this is what one Dallas sports reporter thinks of the matter. Dallas-area sports reporter London Thomas shared his thoughts about WNBA teams accommodating the Indiana Fever on a bigger area, mainly due to the larger crowd pull of Fever star player Caitlin Clark.
“This is why I don’t understand only upgrading venues for games against the Indiana Fever instead of doing it for a few teams,” he said . “It only grows Caitlin Clark ’s brand rather than the league.” This is why I don’t understand only upgrading venues for games against the Indiana Fever instead of doing it for a few teams.
It only grows Caitlin Clark’s brand rather than the league. Even the Fever are owning it https://t.co/EdF0ra56lB — Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) April 12, 2025 “Even the Fever are owning it.
” Thomas’ comments came in response to the Indiana Fever social media post saying “ every game is a home game ,” referring to bigger venues adjusted to accommodate them and the pull of Clark. every game is a home game. we can’t wait to see you pic.
twitter.com/sQ0r6fgI1r — Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 12, 2025 Caitlin Clark’s immense popularity and drawing power have led several WNBA teams to upgrade their venues for Indiana Fever games during the 2025 season. Known as the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” this phenomenon has prompted teams to move games to larger arenas to accommodate the surge in fans eager to watch Clark and the Fever in action.
For instance, the Chicago Sky shifted their home games against the Fever from Wintrust Arena, which seats 10,387, to the United Center, with a capacity of 23,500. Similarly, the Atlanta Dream relocated their May 22 game to State Farm Arena, which seats 16,888, instead of their usual Gateway Center Arena, which holds only 3,500. This trend highlights Clark’s impact not only on the court but also in boosting attendance and viewership for the WNBA.
Her presence has turned Fever games into must-see events, drawing fans from across the country. The Fever themselves have embraced this momentum, with their social media team playfully referring to every game as a “home game” due to the overwhelming support Clark attracts. How Much Crowd Power Does Caitlin Clark Have? Caitlin Clark’s exceptional skills and charisma have made her a transformative figure in basketball.
Her impact on viewership was clear during her time at Iowa, where she consistently broke attendance records. Notably, the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game, which featured Clark, attracted over 9.9 million viewers, surpassing the men’s championship game in viewership for the first time ever.
Caitlin Clark’s influence was evident in the WNBA, where she significantly boosted viewership. During her first season with the Indiana Fever, the league saw an impressive 177% rise in average game viewership compared to the prior year. Games with Clark consistently achieved high ratings, with several surpassing one million viewers.
This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission..
