The WNBA is set to return to action next Thursday after a month-long break, and the league is riding a wave of unprecedented success, thanks in large part to the arrival of two rookie phenoms: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. Their debut season has not only met but far surpassed the high expectations set for them, contributing to record-breaking ratings, skyrocketing merchandise sales, and consistently sold-out arenas. This season’s WNBA Draft was the most watched in history, with 2.4 million viewers, setting the stage for a monumental season. The All-Star Game followed suit, attracting 3.44 million viewers—a staggering 305% increase over the previous year. Clark and Reese’s jerseys have also become the top sellers, underscoring their significant impact on the league’s growth.
Veterans and Rookies: A Changing of the Guard
While the WNBA has long been dominated by legendary players like Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, the attention and excitement surrounding rookies Clark and Reese this year are unparalleled. Reflecting on the league’s rise in popularity, Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champion and five-time Olympic Gold Medalist, acknowledged that times have changed since she entered the league in 2002. “When I was coming out of college into the pro life, it was a little bit of ‘shut up and dribble’ for women,” Bird said, noting the restrictive environment female athletes faced back then.
Bird attributes the WNBA’s growth to a natural evolution of the sport but has been hesitant to credit the new rookies for their contributions. Despite her impressive résumé, Bird has yet to publicly acknowledge the impact of Clark, who is widely expected to be named Rookie of the Year, or Reese. Instead of downplaying their achievements, Bird could play a pivotal role in encouraging these rising stars to continue elevating the game, ensuring that the WNBA’s fan base continues to expand.
Sue Bird talking about the rise in popularity of Women’s Sports. She says it’s because the players are more outspoken and that there’s less racism. Why can’t they just understand it’s because of a generational talent that captivated the nation? #wnba #feverrising #caitlinclark pic.twitter.com/ky0B8g0mBf
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) August 9, 2024
Clark and Reese: A Battle for Rookie of the Year
As the season advances, Clark and the Fever (11-15) hold a slight advantage in the standings over Reese and the Sky (10-14). In their three head-to-head matchups, Clark leads with two wins. Both players have already made history: Reese set a WNBA record with 15 consecutive double-doubles, while Clark recorded the most assists in a single game (19) and became the first rookie to achieve a triple-double in WNBA history.
Clark is currently third in the league in minutes played, averaging 17.1 points and leading the league with 8.2 assists per game for Indiana. Meanwhile, Reese is posting 13.5 points per game and ranks second in the league with 11.9 rebounds per game for Chicago. With approximately 15 games left in the season, both players are well-positioned to lead their teams to the playoffs, further solidifying what has already been a historic year for the WNBA.
As Clark and Reese continue to make their mark, the WNBA is witnessing a dynamic shift that not only honors the contributions of its veterans but also celebrates the arrival of a new generation of stars who are driving the league’s growth to new heights. The rivalry between Clark and Reese, both on and off the court, is poised to propel the WNBA to even greater success as they battle for Rookie of the Year honors and push their teams toward playoff glory.
Caitlin Clark on playing with Angel Reese in the WNBA All Star game #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/2GpiiqW3FK
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) July 19, 2024
