Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise is sending ripples beyond the basketball court. In early April, she played her last college basketball game and retired with the highest point total in men’s and women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. Her Iowa Hawkeyes reached back-to-back national championship games, a feat previously unmatched in the program except for once.
Just eight days later, she was the WNBA’s number one pick by the Indiana Fever. In just five games for the Fever, she has already left a significant mark on the professional league, with fans showing an overwhelming desire to witness her performance firsthand. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home to the Fever, saw sell-out crowds for both of their home games. Additionally, the team’s road game against the Connecticut Suns marked the first sell-out home opener for the Suns since 2003. The Fever’s away games in Seattle and New York also experienced record-breaking crowd numbers.
Looking ahead, the Fever’s game against Las Vegas in July has been relocated to T-Mobile Arena to accommodate high ticket sales. The team’s earlier match against the Vegas Aces, a 99-80 defeat, played out in front of 10,399 fans—the fourth-highest attendance for an Aces game at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Clark’s influence extends far beyond just filling seats. Her impact is being felt in sportsbooks and daily fantasy leagues. According to PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports operator, there was a staggering 185% increase in WNBA selections for opening night compared to 2023. Intriguingly, Clark was the second-most picked player across both men’s and women’s games over the previous week, surpassing NBA stars like Jayson Tatum and Nikola Jokic.
The “Clark Effect” is also making waves in sportsbooks. Fanatics Sportsbook revealed that Clark, despite her rookie status, is the third favorite to win the MVP award this season. Achieving this would make her only the second rookie to secure the MVP title in WNBA history, following Candace Parker in 2008. According to Fanatics, 29.2% of all WNBA MVP bets have been placed on Clark.
For the Fever, who finished the previous season with a disappointing 13-27 record—third worst in the league—the transformation is remarkable. As of now, the team holds a 1-6 record since the new season began on May 14, yet they are fifth-favorites to clinch the WNBA Championship. The Fever, who haven’t seen postseason action since 2016, lead WNBA title wagers with 48.8% of the tickets and 43.1% of the handle, causing their championship odds to slash by a fifth.
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Nevertheless, skepticism remains. The most heavily wagered-on bet at Fanatics is the Fever to finish the season with 21 or fewer victories. Jay Kornegay, vice president of race and sportsbook operations at Westgate Las Vegas, home of the SuperBook, noted an increase in WNBA betting activity, likening Clark’s impact to Tiger Woods’ transformative effect on golf in the 1990s.
“There’s no doubt the impact is real,” Kornegay told iGB. “Tiger was a phenomenon that drew a lot of eyes and boosted the sport of golf to make it relevant in the gaming circles. Caitlin Clark is doing the same for women’s sports, particularly basketball, but also for other sports like soccer and golf.”
Kornegay pointed out that prop bets on Clark at SuperBook received attention comparable to ongoing NBA playoffs. However, he cautioned that the Fever’s chance of turning betting potential into tangible results depends on their on-court performance.
“I’d expect if they don’t have a lot of success on the court, then those [wagering] numbers will probably dwindle until they start winning. However, they’re making positive strides, and if they achieve playoff or championship success, those numbers could rival the betting activity seen during the NCAA tournament.”
Indeed, Clark’s college career has redefined betting interest in women’s sports. Kornegay remarked that her appearances in the NCAA tournament generated unprecedented betting volumes, even outstripping the US Women’s National Team (USWNT).
“Her impact during college was unmistakable,” Kornegay said. “We have never seen that type of action on any women’s sports like we saw with Caitlin Clark and her Iowa team—including the US women’s soccer team. This year, Clark surpassed them in popularity.”
Clark’s NCAA tournament final against South Carolina drew 34% more bets than the second-highest event on April 7: the NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. According to Sports Media Watch, Clark has played in the three WNBA games with the highest viewership since 2022.
While the Fever’s on-court performance will determine if the craze surrounding Clark persists, her influence already signifies a monumental shift in women’s sports. Broadcaster TNT Sports in the UK has signed a multi-year deal to air at least 16 WNBA regular-season games, showcasing the growing international interest. Whether the Fever can replicate Clark’s college success remains to be seen, but her potential to further elevate the sport is undeniable.
iGB reached out to the WNBA for comment but did not receive a response by the publication time.
As Caitlin Clark continues to captivate courtside and betting audiences alike, she firmly cements herself as a transformative figure in women’s basketball and beyond. The echoes of her influence will be felt for years to come, establishing a legacy that extends well beyond her own remarkable achievements.
