The WNBA is riding a wave of popularity in the second year of the Caitlin Clark era, showcasing a remarkable resilience in viewership despite Clark experiencing injuries and the Indiana Fever navigating a .500 record. As we approach the All-Star break, the league proudly announces that its national TV viewership—across leading partners like Ion, ESPN/ABC, and CBS—has surged by 23% compared to the same period last year.
What’s striking is that even without Clark on the court for a significant stretch—she’s missed 10 of Indiana’s first 23 games—the Fever have still managed to captivate audiences with some of the season’s most-watched games. This speaks volumes about the team’s drawing power and Clark’s magnetic influence in the league.
Ion has notably reported a 12% increase in viewership, averaging 595,000 viewers per game, a significant rise from the 529,000 average last year. One standout moment came on July 11, when Indiana’s thrilling 99-85 victory over the Atlanta Dream reached 1.48 million viewers, marking the highest viewership on Ion for the season. In fact, viewership peaked during that game at 1.8 million, an impressive number that underscores the Fever’s ability to pull in audiences even without their star player. Earlier in the season, a game against the Dallas Wings garnered 1.14 million views, which would have marked a historic matchup between Clark and former UConn standout Paige Bueckers—the top two picks in the last two drafts—had Clark been able to play.
The WNBA also recently renewed its media rights deal with Ion, extending their partnership beyond this season. While financial figures haven’t been disclosed, reports indicated that Ion initially signed on to pay the league about $13 million annually for the first three years.
Meanwhile, ESPN and ABC have capitalized on this momentum as well, reporting a 10% increase in viewership for WNBA games compared to last year. This season, WNBA games on these platforms average 1.3 million viewers, driven by a selection of prominent matchups. The league’s choice to air only 13 Fever games this year likely contributed to focusing audience attention, with their season opener against the Sky drawing an astounding 2.7 million viewers—making it the most-watched game of the year.
The anticipation surrounding Clark vs. Bueckers became even more palpable when the Fever faced the Wings for the second time, which brought in 2.1 million viewers, peaking at 2.5 million. This matchup marked the fourth-most watched WNBA game in ABC history, capturing the essence of the league’s growing appeal.
CBS, as the third media partner, has also seen a slight boost with a 6% increase in average viewers per game, bringing in 1.3 million compared to 1.23 million last season, despite a limited number of broadcasts. CBS’s most-watched game took place on May 24, when 2.22 million fans tuned in to witness the Fever’s hard-fought effort against the defending champions, the New York Liberty.
The visibility of Clark has certainly sparked discussions among fans regarding her treatment on the court, especially during that notable game where New York’s Natasha Cloud engaged in some intense play, leading to a controversial ending. These conversations illustrate the passionate investment viewers have in Clark and her journey within the league.
Looking back on the season, the WNBA has boasted 22 regular season games with over 1 million viewers—21 of those featuring Clark and the Fever. For the upcoming 2025 season, the league has strategically planned to showcase 41 of Indiana’s 44 games on national television, ensuring that fan interest continues to thrive.
Despite the challenges posed by Clark’s injuries, the league has displayed resilience. Games like the Fever’s match against the Chicago Sky on June 7, which garnered 1.92 million viewers, exemplify the league’s potential to attract viewers even in the absence of its star player. This game marked a historic moment as the first WNBA game aired during primetime on broadcast television, capturing audience attention on a Saturday night.
In fact, CBS’s last few broadcasts have been on the verge of hitting the 1 million viewer mark, showcasing the continued interest in the league, even for matchups that might not involve marquee players. The consistent viewership numbers serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of women’s sports and the rising acknowledgment of the talent and dedication present within the WNBA.
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