Caitlin Clark is back in the spotlight as the WNBA season resumes after a month-long break for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Indiana Fever guard has captivated audiences, transforming the team into one of the league’s most compelling stories, as highlighted by emerging metrics from SBJ. Clark’s popularity isn’t just reflected in national TV ratings—where she’s drawn the top 10 largest audiences of the year—but also in the impact she’s had in Indianapolis, a city now emerging as a key hub for the league.
The Fever’s rise in visibility is evident in various ways. The local media market in Indianapolis, previously ranked 27th by Nielsen, has become a significant focal point for the WNBA. The team has attracted unprecedented local media interest and boasts a season-ticket base approaching 8,000. Social media engagement has skyrocketed, with video views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram surpassing even Messi’s Inter Miami CF since April.
Playfly Sports President Craig Sloan describes the Fever’s rise as “must-have content,” underscoring the substantial impact Clark has had. According to Todd Taylor, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Fever have amassed 800 million video views since spring across social media—more than any team in the WNBA, NBA, NFL, NHL, or MLB. Attendance at home games has surged by 265%, averaging just under 17,000 fans per game. Merchandise sales are up 700%, and video views have increased by 1,300%.
“It’s like every game is a major event, akin to holiday games in the NBA,” Taylor remarked. “Merchandise sales set new records almost every night, and we’re constantly on TV. It feels reminiscent of the Braves’ Superstation days or the Cubs with WGN.”
While many WNBA executives believed the league was on the verge of a breakthrough before this season, insiders like Sloan attribute the current success to Clark’s influence. “There’s undeniable value with Caitlin,” Sloan stated. “The difference she makes in venue attendance, TV viewership, and overall audience engagement is clear.”
This shift is particularly noticeable in Indianapolis. Before the season began, with the Fever seeking an over-the-air TV partner rather than a regional sports network, both TEGNA and Scripps expressed interest—unprecedented for a WNBA team. When it was revealed that the Fever would have a staggering 38 national TV games, TEGNA secured the rights to nine games (including seven alongside NBA TV) with a record-setting local rights fee. These games will be broadcast on Indy’s NBC affiliate WTHR and extend across Indiana, Iowa, Southern Illinois, and parts of Western Ohio.
“This is groundbreaking,” said Lee Berke, President and CEO of LHB Sports, Entertainment, and Media, who assisted in developing the deal with TEGNA. “Most WNBA deals have been smaller and more localized. This deal covers parts of four states and has generated substantial advertiser interest.”
Internally, Taylor has observed the fervor of Fever fans, who flock to post-game events and team appearances even during sweltering temperatures. The team’s season ticket holder cap has been reached, and single-game tickets are now limited to balcony seats. Taylor is keen to maintain this momentum and avoid complacency, focusing on securing season ticket renewals for 2025 and anticipating full-capacity crowds as the Fever head into the playoffs.
“I was concerned that we might lose some momentum after the Olympic break with the start of the school year,” Taylor said. “But that hasn’t been the case. If we had been less competitive, it might have been a different story, but the enthusiasm has remained strong.”
