Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever were bounced from the WNBA playoffs after losing in the first round to the Connecticut Sun.
While many fans believed viewership for the WNBA playoffs would fall, since Clark was one of the league’s biggest phenomenons this season, it seems the WNBA is still thriving after the Fever’s elimination.
ESPN PR recently posted the viewership numbers from the Las Vegas Aces’ semifinal matchup against the New York Liberty. The network announced that the Liberty, Aces game was the most-viewed WNBA semifinal matchup in 22 years.
The 87-77 victory for the Liberty averaged 929k viewers and peaked at 1.2 million viewers.
Following ESPN’s announcement, fans commented on the “Caitlin Clark effect.” Some fans believe the rise in viewership resulted from the hype Clark brought to the WNBA.
In contrast, others called out Clark fans for thinking viewership numbers would drastically drop after the Fever were eliminated.
“Without CC and on Sunday Football night… NOT BAD… How about the other game on ESPN between Minni vs Connecticut… what is this game viewership number?” questioned one fan.
Without CC and on Sunday Football night… NOT BAD… How about the other game on ESPN between Minni vs Connecticut… what is this game viewership number?
— Phu M Tran (@m_tran28776) October 1, 2024
“Clark stans in shambles everywhere,” said another fan.
Clark stans in shambles everywhere
— TorchedByOtterman (@NormanOtterman) October 1, 2024
“Aged well,” mentioned one fan.
Aged well https://t.co/JKlybk9Qwl
— HockeyGuy66 (@MNHockeyGuy66) October 1, 2024
“Yup, that’s me. I came because of CC. She’s still my favorite player but I’ve watch other games too and not only the Fever. I’ll be watching the playoffs too.” commented one fan.
Yup, that’s me. I came because of CC. She’s still my favorite player but I’ve watch other games too and not only the Fever. I’ll be watching the playoffs too.
— Ana Juli (@juli_ana01) October 1, 2024
“Sunday’s two non caitlin clark WNBA playoff games (800K viewers) were up +176% vs. last year’s comparable games. Pretty impressive against NFL competition.” said one fan.
Sunday’s two non caitlin clark WNBA playoff games (800K viewers) were up +176% vs. last year’s comparable games. Pretty impressive against NFL competition https://t.co/5z9HGbrn1T
— Flora Kelly (@ESPNFlora) October 1, 2024
“The ratings have NOW been released. Aces/Liberty semifinal this Sunday….929,000 viewers. Meanwhile, LAST Sunday, the Fever (Caitlin Clark) had a viewership of 1.8 million! You are a pathetic liar….” commented one fan.
The ratings have NOW been released. Aces/Liberty semifinal this Sunday….929,000 viewers.
Meanwhile, LAST Sunday, the Fever (Caitlin Clark) had a viewership of 1.8 million!
You are a pathetic liar….— Load777 (@theom777) October 1, 2024
Clark may have had a historic 2024 season with the Fever, helping them compete in the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2016, but fans made sure to point out that the WNBA has still been able to attract viewers without arguably the league’s biggest star.
The matchup between the Aces and Liberty features some of the league’s biggest stars, including six members of the USA women’s basketball team that recently won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
These stars include A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu.
While Clark and the Fever head back to the drawing board and prepare for the 2025 season, the Aces and Liberty will be competing for a spot in the WNBA championship.
Las Vegas took down the Liberty 3-1 in the 2023 finals, so New York may be playing with a chip on their shoulder in the 2024 semifinals.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty to a Game 1 victory over the Aces, scoring a game-high 34 points while adding five rebounds and four assists.
New York will look to take a 2-0 series lead on Oct. 1 when they face off against the Aces in Game 2.
