The Caitlin Clark effect is real in the WNBA. Clark has brought a host of fans and attention to the W, resulting in increased revenue and viewership for the league. In fact, ABC's WNBA opening doubleheader — which opened with Fever vs. Liberty — saw a 143% increase in average viewership from last season. Clark recently spoke on one big goal she has related to the WNBA and its increasing popularity.
“I mean it's definitely hard to put into perspective the reach and impact you have, not only across the country but really across the world,” Clark said in a recent interview. “That's obviously something I hope and want to do.”
Clark continued to say that she hopes women's professional basketball will continue to increase in popularity all around the world.
“We want to make women's basketball even more global than it already is,” Clark said, “and continue to impact people and young girls and young boys and show them what basketball can do for their lives.”
“It's cool for me to have people that come up to me not only from not only all around the country but all around the world and say they're fans,” Clark continued, “and [they] love women's basketball and love the teams I've been a part of.”
Caitlin Clark inks historic deal with Wilson
One result of Clark's huge popularity is a number of eye-popping endorsement deals.
Most recently, Clark inked a multi-year partnership with Wilson — the first collaboration of its kind since Michael Jordan's partnership with the company in the 1980s.
Clark will join Wilson as an ambassador, a role in which she will have influence over the design and development of a new signature basketball collection.
“I loved that thing more than anything. My brothers and I would always fight over it,” Clark said, as reported by Vinciane Ngomsi of Boardroom. “That was the best basketball. But I’m just super excited to have a collaboration and create basketballs together that are really cool.”
Clark will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on other Wilson basketball gear.
“I think it is super special, and it’s been fun for me,” Clark said. “I feel like I was just that young kid who had those basketballs that I would store in the garage. I’m just very lucky and fortunate to partner with Wilson to create something that everyone can enjoy.”
Fever vs. Storm recap: Indiana falls to 0-5 after close game against Seattle
The Indiana Fever are continuing to play better, but it hasn't been enough to secure their first win of the season.
The Fever played a dangerous Storm team close the entire game. In fact, Indiana entered the fourth quarter with a slim lead. However, they were outscored by four points in the final quarter and that was enough for the Storm to win 85-83.
Caitlin Clark led the Fever in minutes (33), points (21), and assists (7). The trio of Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and NaLyssa Smith did much of the heavy lifting for the Fever, leading the team in every statistical category. The rest of their core will need to step up in future games if they want to secure their first victory of the season.
The Fever have another chance to get their first win tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Sparks.
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