WNBA team owner reveals real reason fans tune in to watch Caitlin Clark

The WNBA's 2024 rookie class, featuring Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, has been lauded for their significant impact on the league, drawing in "attention and eyeballs" and boosting viewership figures.

This season, the WNBA has witnessed a remarkable surge in viewership, spearheaded by No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark.

The Indiana Fever star has been pivotal in attracting mainstream interest to the league.

Clark's impact is complemented by an impressive cohort of players, including Chicago Sky's Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, as well as Los Angeles Sparks' Cameron Brink, who all earned their stripes in college basketball.

ESPN has seen a staggering 170 percent increase in viewership year-on-year across its platforms this season, thanks in part to these fresh talents. Clara Wu Tsai, owner of the New York Liberty, which is set to clash with the Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday, has credited the 2024 rookie class with transforming the game.

"Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Cameron Brink, a lot of these players became household names even before they entered the draft," Wu Tsai remarked in a CNN interview. "They are a highly skilled rookie class and brought a lot of attention and eyeballs to the WNBA."

Wu Tsai has particularly praised Rookie of the Year Clark for her extraordinary influence, noting that her long-range shooting has mesmerized fans and elevated women's basketball to unprecedented heights.

"The thing with Caitlin is that people come to watch her style of play," she said. "The logo three is basically the equivalent of our dunk. We don't need to dunk. We have the logo three. That kind of basketball people wanna see, and they want to see it in person. It is because of her and the entire rookie class that we saw such an upswing in viewership."

She continued: "Attracting new fans is very important. It's essential for the league to continue to grow. At the same time, we have to recognise our oldest and most loyal fans because we wouldn't be where we are today without them," Wu Tsai acknowledged.

"It is our responsibility to make sure the franchise is financially sound so we can continue to invest in the franchise and tap into the entire business potential of the WNBA. This year, because there was a surge in demand, we have a waitlist for our courtside tickets."

Clark set a long list of WNBA records in her rookie campaign, including the single-season assist record and most points by a point guard. After a chastening 1-8 start to the season, she led the Fever to a 20-20 record before being eliminated by Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs.

Former LSU star Reese also made her mark in her rookie season, averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. Her 26 regular-season double-doubles is a WNBA record for a rookie.