With Caitlin Clark Sidelined, WNBA TV Ratings Drop Over 50 Percent, Indiana Fever Games Experience Staggering 53 Percent Decline
The Caitlin Clark effect on the WNBA was undeniable from the moment the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft. Her historic college career at Iowa propelled women’s basketball to unprecedented television viewership, shattered attendance records, and created an entirely new class of fans. It was no surprise when she was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever. The league had banked on Clark’s presence to continue its surging momentum into the pro ranks. However, with Clark currently sidelined, the league’s ratings have plummeted—most notably, a more than 50% drop across national broadcasts, including a staggering 53% decline for Indiana Fever games.
This dramatic dip paints a revealing picture of just how dependent the league’s current growth is on a single rookie athlete. While the WNBA has steadily built a foundation over the years, Clark’s arrival added a jolt of mainstream attention not seen in the league’s recent history. With Clark temporarily out, that attention has diminished significantly, highlighting the league’s ongoing challenges with visibility, audience retention, and broader fan engagement.
Television ratings have long been a barometer for success in professional sports, and the 2024 season began with hope for a new era. Clark’s debut with the Fever drew millions of viewers and topped cable charts, with ESPN, ABC, and other networks touting record-breaking numbers. Social media buzz followed her every move, and the Fever were suddenly a must-watch team regardless of performance. But since her absence—whether due to rest, injury management, or other short-term circumstances—the numbers have cratered. According to the latest Nielsen data, WNBA national broadcasts have seen more than a 50% decrease in average viewership since Clark last played, with Indiana Fever games faring even worse.
The 53% drop in viewership for the Fever is particularly alarming because they have served as the primary vehicle for new fans discovering the league. The Fever’s roster, coaching staff, and even travel itinerary were suddenly front-page topics in major media markets—most of it centered around Clark. Without her presence on the court, casual and new viewers appear to be tuning out. The Fever’s performance has also struggled, which hasn’t helped maintain interest. They remain near the bottom of the standings, and even though other talented players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell have had their moments, the general public’s interest wanes without the player that initially drew them in.
This dynamic has sparked a new and growing conversation about the sustainability of the WNBA’s popularity surge. On one hand, it’s clear Clark has expanded the league’s reach in ways no player has in decades. On the other, relying too heavily on one individual to drive engagement carries inherent risk. Injuries, slumps, or even simple load management can lead to ripple effects that hurt the league’s image and ratings. The question now becomes: how can the WNBA capitalize on Clark’s initial wave of momentum while also building infrastructure and narratives around its broader talent pool?
Veteran stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu remain elite-level players with championship pedigrees and marketable personalities. Yet, even their games haven’t generated the same level of interest or buzz when Clark is absent. Some argue it’s a marketing problem, others point to broader societal factors that still limit mainstream attention toward women’s sports. But either way, the league faces a pressing need to diversify its promotional strategy and amplify other compelling stories.
There’s also the issue of scheduling and exposure. Clark’s games had been placed in primetime windows, with ESPN, ABC, and Amazon all jockeying for rights. But with her temporarily off the court, those windows feel noticeably emptier. Ratings dips aren’t just bad optics—they could impact future media negotiations, advertising revenue, and overall league growth. For a league that’s spent years fighting for greater coverage and financial parity, the optics of a 50% decline could fuel critics who doubt the long-term sustainability of the WNBA’s growth.
The positive spin is that the league now knows what kind of potential it holds. The surge in April and May showed that a compelling storyline, elite talent, and strong media partnerships can yield massive results. Now, the challenge is retaining those viewers and convincing them to stay—even if the marquee name is unavailable. This is where the league office, team PR departments, and broadcast partners will need to collaborate to highlight rivalries, elevate emerging stars, and create continuity across the schedule.
The ratings downturn also affects individual teams beyond the Fever. While Clark’s presence brought a ratings and attendance boost for any team she played against, her absence has affected ticket sales, merchandise purchases, and local media engagement. It’s not just a Fever problem—it’s a league-wide concern. In some markets, fans who bought tickets specifically to see Clark are now no-shows, further dampening in-arena energy and revenue streams.
From a business standpoint, it’s a reminder that star power moves the needle in ways few other things can. But it also raises deeper questions about how to build a more stable fan ecosystem. The NBA didn’t crumble when LeBron James or Michael Jordan missed time because the league had dozens of compelling teams, rivalries, and subplots to keep fans engaged. The WNBA is still working toward that level of saturation. With Clark sidelined, the league must now fast-track efforts to develop those secondary and tertiary draws.
To their credit, several players have stepped up. A’ja Wilson continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, and rookies like Angel Reese and Cameron Brink are beginning to carve out identities of their own. The Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever rivalry has potential, especially if both franchises invest in their stars and build competitive teams. And teams like the Las Vegas Aces remain dominant forces that should be able to draw more attention regardless of who they play. Still, without Clark, the sense of “can’t-miss TV” that defined early-season broadcasts has faded.
It’s also worth considering the impact of how fans consume sports today. Linear TV ratings only tell part of the story. Social media engagement, streaming metrics, and merchandise sales also contribute to the picture, and Clark continues to be a viral force regardless of whether she’s on the court. Clips of her highlights, interviews, and commercials still circulate widely online, and Nike’s ad campaign featuring her remains one of the most-viewed in women’s sports history. But that doesn’t change the reality that fewer people are watching full games—and that matters to league stakeholders.
The league’s response to this dip will be telling. There is still time in the season for Clark to return and reignite interest. But long-term, the league has to ask tough questions about media strategy, talent distribution, and storytelling. Can it sustain the momentum when Clark isn’t available? Can it grow the brand of players in other markets? Can it build rivalries and traditions that don’t rely on a single rookie?
In many ways, the Clark phenomenon has given the WNBA a glimpse into what a booming future could look like. Packed arenas, record TV deals, primetime coverage, and new sponsors lining up to join. But it’s also revealed how fragile that surge can be when tied too tightly to one person. The 53% drop in Fever game viewership is a warning signal—not a death knell, but a sign that deeper investment in broader talent development is critical for long-term success.
The 2024-25 season remains young, and there is still plenty of time for recovery. If Clark returns to full health and resumes her stellar play, many of those lost viewers will likely return. But what the league does in the meantime will say more about its resilience and vision than any single box score or highlight clip. This moment could become a turning point—a chance to double down on growth initiatives, media training, and market expansion—or it could be a missed opportunity if the league doesn’t evolve quickly.
Either way, the numbers don’t lie. Caitlin Clark is not just a rookie. She’s a business, a movement, a lightning rod for attention in an era where eyeballs are everything. Her absence is being felt in arenas and living rooms alike. But her impact has also shown what’s possible. The task now is to turn that temporary spark into a lasting flame—before the moment passes.
