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Impact of Caitlin Clark on the WNBA
Caitlin Clark, the highly talented Iowa standout and projected first overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, is already making waves in the league well before her professional debut. Her presence in the draft has sparked a surge in interest and ticket prices for the Indiana Fever, the team holding the number one overall selection.
Increased Interest and Ticket Sales
The Indiana Fever, which ranked second to last in home attendance during the previous season with an average attendance of 4,067 fans, has experienced a notable rise in ticket interest following Clark’s emergence. While the team has confirmed a general “spike” in demand, specific details were not disclosed. In response to this heightened interest, the Fever has taken the unprecedented step of offering single-game tickets for two matches per day over a 15-day period leading up to the draft.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with tickets for games against the Seattle Storm and Dallas Wings selling out rapidly. As of Thursday afternoon, only a few balcony seats remained unsold. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the venue where the Fever and Indiana Pacers play their home games, boasts a seating capacity of over 18,000.
Market Impact
Marketplace data from Vivid Seats reveals a substantial increase in ticket prices following Clark’s declaration for the draft. The team’s season opener against the Connecticut Sun on May 14 saw a price surge of 91%, while the home opener against the New York Liberty on May 16 experienced a 50% price hike. At SeatGeek, the average resale price for Fever home games currently stands at $182, marking a remarkable 136% increase from the previous year, a shift typically observed in the NBA when star players like LeBron James change teams.
Chris Leyden, Director of Growth Marketing at SeatGeek, acknowledged the rarity of such a significant surge in demand for women’s basketball tickets. He outlined the three primary factors driving ticket demand: team popularity, performance, and star player appeal, all of which are influenced by Clark’s presence on the court.
League-wide Impact
The impact of Caitlin Clark extends beyond the Fever’s home games, as evidenced by the Las Vegas Aces’ decision to relocate their July 2 matchup against Indiana to the larger T-Mobile Arena due to heightened ticket demand. Additionally, the Seattle Storm introduced a five-game ticket plan featuring matchups against the Fever, anticipating increased interest in away games as fans seek opportunities to watch Clark in action.
Clark’s influence has also elevated the Fever’s national exposure, with the WNBA announcing that the team will feature in 36 of its 40 games broadcast on national TV or streaming platforms this season. This includes eight games set to be aired on popular networks such as ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, highlighting the league’s recognition of Clark’s impact on viewership and fan engagement.
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