• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 4, 2025

Bottom Line: WNBA Already Feeling the Impact of Incoming Stars

  • Demand for tickets to see Clark, both home and away, surges even before she is drafted.
  • The latest escalation for the league follows what was already a banner 2023 season.
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

After a season-long, Caitlin Clark–fueled bonanza across women’s college basketball that redefined the sport, the WNBA literally has next—and is poised to cash in on multiple fronts.

Recalling the league’s original marketing slogan, the WNBA is now starting to see some of the initial benefits from the incoming influx of Clark (above, left), as well as other stars such as LSU’s Angel Reese (above, right). Among the latest data points:

  • Even before Clark is a member of the Fever—she’s expected to be selected first by Indiana in the WNBA draft Monday—resale prices for the team’s home opener May 16 in some cases have surpassed $500 per ticket, before fees, and even is reaching $100 for upper-deck seats. Those ticket resale prices for the game in Indianapolis arrive on the heels of rising marketing by several other WNBA teams of Clark’s expected arrival as a visiting player to their towns.
  • Fueled in part by that road-market promotion, resale ticket pricing is ballooning across the league to see Clark and the Fever.
  • The two-time defending league champion Aces have moved a July 2 home game against the Fever from the 12,000-seat Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay to the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena due to expected demand. Aces season tickets are already sold out in what is claimed to be a WNBA first.
  • League commissioner Cathy Engelbert aims to double its media rights, in part because of the momentum of the incoming stars, and could break off from joint negotiations with the NBA in pursuit of that boost. 

The rising expectations follow what was already a breakthrough 2023 season for the league with big increases posted in attendance, television viewership, and digital media consumption during the regular season, and further audience growth in the playoffs. 

“When you’re given an opportunity, women’s sports just kind of thrives,” Clark said. “It just continues to get better and better and better. That’s never going to stop.”

For Clark’s last college game, a title game loss to undefeated South Carolina, there was a final exclamation point Tuesday as a record-setting television audience, originally pegged at an average of 18.7 million in fast national metrics, was revised upward in final figures to 18.9 million. The event was the most-watched college basketball game—men’s or women’s—in ESPN’s history.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cody Campbell

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.
Caitlin Clark
exclusive

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark Backs Napheesa Collier in Fight With WNBA

Clark had her exit interview on Thursday after an injury-riddled season. 

Featured Today

Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
Signs promoting the FIFA World Cup Final coming to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. The World Cup is held every four years and the 2026 World Cup Final match will be played at MetLife Stadium.

High Ticket Prices Define First World Cup Presale

Most fans weren’t picked for the pricey first presale window.
Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park.
October 3, 2025

NFL Wants to Play on a Record Fifth Continent

Asia is in the league’s sights after a 2026 game in Australia.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Mar 16, 2025; Singapore, SINGAPORE; Joaquin Niemann in action during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.
October 3, 2025

LIV Golf Lost $461M in Non-U.S. Operations in 2024

Public financial filings were released this week in the U.K.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Grand Slam Track
exclusive
October 3, 2025

Investors Keep Grand Slam Track Alive With 8-Figure Lifeline

The league paid athletes half of what they’re owed Friday.
October 2, 2025

FIFA Won’t Move 2026 World Cup Matches Despite Trump Remarks

The organization’s VP pushes back on recent comments from Trump.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 27, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team Europe's Matt Fitzpatrick celebrates with Tyrrell Hatton after holing his putt to win the hole on the 9th hole during the four-balls on the second day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
October 2, 2025

Ryder Cup Fallout Continues As PGA of America Leaders Take Heat

European players are still not happy with the fan behavior.
Cathy Engelbert
October 1, 2025

WNBA Stars Ripped the Commissioner. Where Does the League Go From Here?

Engelbert is set to address the media at the Finals on Friday.