Despite the departure of record-breaking rookie Caitlin Clark, the WNBA playoffs continue to draw substantial audiences, with the first game between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces attracting 929,000 viewers. However, viewership numbers have noticeably declined compared to Clark's record-setting performances.
The absence of Caitlin Clark, the Iowa product who broke numerous WNBA records in her rookie season, has been felt in the league's playoff viewership. While the first weekend of the playoffs without Clark saw a quieter response in terms of attention and viewership, the remaining teams in contention for the championship, including the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Connecticut Sun, and Minnesota Lynx, continue to draw substantial audiences.
Caitlin Clark's Absence Leaves WNBA Playoffs with Lower Viewership
The first game between the Aces and Liberty, a rematch of last year's WNBA finals, drew 929,000 viewers, a significant decline from the 1.84 million viewers who tuned in to Clark's first playoff game against the Sun. Despite the drop, the audience for the Aces-Liberty game was still historically good for a WNBA playoff game that doesn't involve Clark, surpassing the numbers for the finals games between the two teams last year.
Game 1 of the Sun-Lynx series, on the other hand, had a viewership of just 650,000. Both of these games have also fallen well behind Clark's regular season games in terms of viewership. In early September, Clark's Indiana Fever drew 1.26 million viewers in a game against the Lynx, even though it aired concurrently with a Week-1 NFL game between the Eagles and Packers.
Caitlin Clark's Absence Leaves WNBA Playoffs with Lower Viewership
Clark's presence elevated the Fever to become the most-watched team in the WNBA during her rookie year. The 14 most-watched WNBA games of the season all featured the Fever. Clark's teammate Kelsey Mitchell attributed the increased attention to her presence.
Despite the decline in viewership, Clark's impact on the league is undeniable. She broke the record for most points by a point guard in a single season, most points by a rookie, and the league's single-season assist record. She also led the league in 3-pointers and became the youngest player to lead the league in assists.
Caitlin Clark's Absence Leaves WNBA Playoffs with Lower Viewership
While Clark's absence may have led to a decline in viewership, the WNBA playoffs continue to capture the attention of fans, showcasing the league's growing popularity and the exceptional talent of its players. Women's basketball continues to make strides in terms of recognition and viewership, and the league's future remains bright.
