2.25 million viewers watched Caitlin Clark battle Angel Reese making it most-watched WNBA game in 23 years

The 2024 WNBA rookie class is collectively bringing transformative change to the WNBA.

2.25 million viewers watched Caitlin Clark battle Angel Reese making it most-watched WNBA game in 23 years

2.25 million viewers watched Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese resume their rivalry in WNBA

The WNBA is reaping the benefits as Caitlin Clark plays to sell-out crowds. But more importantly, is the windfall her presence has brought in other areas. Add Angel Reese into the mix and their rivalry, which started from the 2023 NCAA Championship, has added an edge to the league this season. When their respective Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky met up on Father’s Day, that rivalry made it the most-watched game in 23 years.

CBS Sports revealed through their official social media account that their broadcast of the game between Caitlin Clark‘s Indiana Fever and Angel Reese‘s Chicago Sky on 16th June recorded 2.25 million viewers on average. That was 225% more than the highest-viewed game on the network broadcasted last year.

More importantly, it became the highest-viewed WNBA on any network in the past 23 years. A testament to the burgeoning popularity these rookies have brought to the league.

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Such popularity has been unprecedented in the WNBA. There is already evidence that games featuring Caitlin Clark have led the ratings this season. However, the addition of Angel Reese sent this game to the top of the charts.

The league stated in the past that viewership was on the rise over the past few years. However, it is the arrival of this year’s rookie class, headlined by Clark and Reese, that is bringing in new eyeballs to the game.

WNBA rookies pushing the league to new heights

In any sporting league, there is always a rookie class that brought in transformative change to the league. The 1984 and 2003 Draft classes are touted as the ones that had the most impact on the NBA. Similarly, the WNBA has the 2014 Draft class as one of its best.

However, no other rookie class has had an impact on the marketability of the league like this year. The 2024 WNBA Draft class is leading the charge to bring not only more viewers but also bring in revenue in every way. For instance, it is not only Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese that are dominating the numbers. Fellow rookies, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso, Rickea Jackson and Kate Martin are contributing to an exponential increase in jersey as well as merchandise sales.

If it was just Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese, then only their teams would benefit the most. However, if other rookies are helping their respective teams to feed off of their popularity, then it will be a good sign for the future of the league.

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