Thanks to new rookies like Caitlin Clark, this WNBA season has undeniably been one for the record books, with the league experiencing unprecedented growth in media attention and fan engagement. Since the start of the season, the WNBA has made significant strides, including securing private flights for the players, a stark contrast to the commercial flights used in previous seasons. The draft smashed records with 2.4 million viewers, a 307% increase over 2023, and this year marked the 17th WNBA game that has topped 1 million viewers. This is a remarkable achievement, given that the league had not reached the million-viewership mark in the previous 16 years.

Arike Ogunbowale, right, of Team WNBA, celebrates after her 3-point...Arike Ogunbowale, right, of Team WNBA, celebrates after her 3-point basket against Team USA with teammates Caitlin Clark, center, and Aliyah Boston, leftAP

Best All-Star Ever

Beyond merchandise sales and arena sell-outs, the season, which still has more than 15 games per team left, is shaping up to be historic. The All-Star game itself set records, drawing 3.44 million viewers and peaking at 4.1 million, a 305% increase over last year’s game. It was undoubtedly the best All-Star game in the league’s history. This success can be attributed to the “Caitlin Clark effect,” though Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and the WNBA Women’s National Team, set to represent the US in the Paris Olympics, were also key factors in this achievement.

These impressive numbers reflect the league’s response to the arrival of Caitlin Clark. Since her draft day, the league and its fans have embraced this superstar. It’s not to say that there wasn’t high-level talent before Clark, with players like A’ja Wilson,Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Arike Ogunbowale, and the legendary Diana Taurasi. However, Clark’s offensive prowess, combined with her humility and down-to-earth personality, has drawn more attention to the league, which also will receive $2.2 billion as part of the NBA’s new media rights deal.

Maximizing the Moment

The WNBA’s moment is now, and the league must leverage Clark’s appeal effectively. Clark has played in 15 of the 17 games that have garnered more than 1 million viewers. The numbers don’t lie, and while some might downplay her impact, it’s clear that she is a major factor in the league’s growth. Ideally, the WNBA would benefit from Clark and the Indiana Fever reaching the playoffs, potentially facing off against the Chicago Sky. This matchup could be the ultimate dream for Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who has done an excellent job steering the league thus far.

The WNBA will be back on August 15 once the Olympics conclude on August 11.