Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Caitlin Clark Effect Back in Full As Fever-Liberty Draws 2.2 Million Viewers

Clark’s return from an injury drove significant viewership for Saturday’s Fever-Liberty game on ABC.

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

When Caitlin Clark is on national TV, the ratings go boom.

Saturday’s game between the Fever and Liberty averaged 2.2 million viewers on ABC. ESPN announced that viewership peaked at 2.8 million and was the third-most-watched WNBA game ever on ABC. The matchup drew 76% more viewers than the average regular-season WNBA game on ABC last year. 

Clark had missed five games with a quad injury, during which time WNBA ratings sagged—although Indiana games even without Clark still did pretty well, all things considered, as Front Office Sports’s Colin Salao documented. 

Clark scored 32 points, 21 of which came on seven three-pointers, in her return after missing games for the first time since high school. 

The viewership numbers have been especially stout when Clark and the Fever compete on broadcast TV this season. Fever-Liberty also drew 2.2 million viewers last month for a Saturday afternoon game on CBS. Fever-Sky, featuring the rivalry between Clark and Chicago forward Angel Reese that dates back to college, drew 2.7 million viewers for ABC in the regular-season opener. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for the
Tuned In Newsletter

Get the latest sports media scoops & insights straight to your inbox once a week.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ernie Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Ernie Johnson Leaving ‘Inside the NBA’ After 37 Years

He’ll still be around for March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS.

Mavs’ Miriam Adelson Leads All Sports Owners in Midterms Spending

Adelson spent at least $67 million on Republican races.

NHL Winter Classic Weekend Expanding Amid Utah’s Sports Push

The “Winter Weekend” includes events with the Jazz, Mammoth, and a concert.
The Sports Bra

Women’s Sports Bar Owners: Matinee WNBA Finals Game a ‘Slap in the Face’

The Game 6 reschedule will likely mean thousands in lost revenue.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/28/26 – Brewers Economy on Fire, Knicks and Rangers Split, Who Will Join Jay-Z at Halftime?

0:00

Featured Today

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
November 2, 2025

ESPN Still Dark on YouTube TV As ‘MNF’ Looms

ABC and ESPN’s college football slate was blacked out Saturday.
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate with the Commissioner's Trophy in the clubhouse after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
November 5, 2025

World Series G7 Audience Count Final: 51M Across U.S., Canada, Japan

The average global audience for Game 7 surpassed 51 million viewers.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
October 31, 2025

Frozen Frenzy Ratings Climb 20% Despite Scheduling Complaints

The hockey event posts a 20% viewership bump, despite World Series competition.
October 31, 2025

YouTube TV Loses ESPN, ABC Just Before Big Sports Weekend

More than 20 channels go dark on the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Rich Paul
Exclusive
October 31, 2025

Rich Paul, Max Kellerman in Talks for Show With The Ringer

“The Ringer” sold to Spotify in 2020.
Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) throws his bat after hitting a two run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the third inning of game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
October 30, 2025

World Series Game 5: Largest Jays Audience Ever on Canadian TV

Canadian viewership continues to be a major storyline of the World Series.