Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been a driving force behind the WNBA’s surge in popularity this season.
But her absence due to a left quad injury has exposed the league’s reliance on her rising stardom, with viewership metrics taking a dramatic hit during her time off the court.
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Clark suffered a strained left quadriceps on May 24 and has missed five consecutive games. During that span, the Fever’s television ratings – and the league’s as a whole – have seen a substantial drop.
National viewership of WNBA games on major networks plummeted by 55 percent since Clark’s injury, and ratings for Indiana Fever games specifically dropped by 53 percent.
A stark contrast without Caitlin Clark
Clark’s early performances in her rookie season captivated audiences. Averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds through her first four games, she was helping turn Fever games into appointment viewing.
In fact, Indiana’s season opener against the Chicago Sky drew 2.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA regular-season game in over two decades.
That level of excitement was tempered once Clark was sidelined. When the Fever faced the Sky again – this time without Clark – ratings fell to 1.92 million, illustrating the immediate impact of her absence. National TV audiences, eager to see the former Iowa standout, were clearly tuning out when she wasn’t playing.
The Fever have gone 2-3 in her absence and are 4-5 overall. Head coach Stephanie White emphasized that the team would not rush Clark’s return. “We’re going to be smart, and we’re going to be cautious and we’re going to play the long game and work her back in very intentionally,” White said.
Clark returned to practice on June 5, but the team has not provided a timeline for when she will be back in the lineup.
League momentum at risk without its biggest draw
Clark’s draw goes far beyond the court. The Fever now boast the second-highest franchise valuation in the WNBA at $370 million, trailing only the New York Liberty. They also lead the league in revenue, generating $32 million so far this season.
But these gains raise the stakes of her absence, showing how heavily the WNBA’s recent growth has leaned on her star power. The recent dip in viewership numbers signals a warning for the league: without developing other marketable stars and engaging storylines, the WNBA’s broader growth could be vulnerable to sudden setbacks like injuries.
Clark’s return will no doubt boost numbers, but long-term stability will require more balance across teams and player profiles. As the league anticipates her return, all eyes are on whether it can maintain fan interest or whether Caitlin Clark’s presence is the sole driving force behind this season’s record-setting attention.
This news was originally published on this post .
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