WNBA Ratings Tank Without Caitlin Clark

The numbers are in—and they’re loud.

Since Caitlin Clark’s quad injury on May 26, WNBA national TV ratings have dropped more than 55%. The Indiana Fever alone are pulling in nearly 1 million fewer viewers per game without her in the lineup. For a league looking to expand its audience, that’s a major blow.

Clark’s presence has sparked what Lisa Leslie called “The Caitlin Clark Effect.” Her games bring bigger crowds, national buzz, and more coverage. Teams are even moving games to larger arenas when the Fever come to town.

But as ratings take a hit in her absence, it’s sparked a bigger conversation—what is the WNBA doing to promote all of its teams and stars?

This season, we’ve seen standout performances across the board: A’ja Wilson is in MVP form, Angel Reese is dominating the glass, Alyssa Thomas stays consistent, and Aliyah Boston continues to anchor the Fever’s interior game. But outside of a few marquee matchups, many teams aren’t getting the same visibility or marketing push.

At the same time, concerns around player safety and league response have made headlines—especially when it comes to hard fouls and viral moments involving Clark.

So while Caitlin Clark is clearly a major draw, this moment also raises a bigger question:
Is the WNBA truly elevating the full talent of the league—or are they missing an opportunity to spotlight the whole game?

🔗 Source

WNBA Ratings Tank Without Caitlin Clark  was originally published on hot1009.com