The Indiana Fever selected Caitlin Clark with the top overall pick in the WNBA Draft in April, adding the highly coveted prospect to their roster. Clark’s WNBA draft rookie card sold at auction for an estimated $84,000, surpassing the record for the priciest women’s basketball card on record. The card featured Clark’s autograph and showed her posing with her Fever jersey after being drafted. It is now the second-highest selling women’s sports card in history, behind a Serena Williams card that sold for $266,400 in 2022.
After a disappointing 2023 season where the Fever failed to make the playoffs, Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston helped turn the franchise’s fortunes around in 2024. The team finished the regular season with a 20-20 record, with Clark averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Her assists average led the league, with Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun coming in second with 7.9 assists per game. The Fever recently clinched a playoff berth, with Game 1 of their first-round series against the Sun scheduled for September 22.
Clark’s card is part of Panini Instant’s branded series and is the first to feature her in a Fever jersey. The card, known as the “Blue Viper” variation, has become a highly sought-after collectible item, as fans and collectors look to add it to their collections. With the success of the Fever this season and Clark’s standout performances, interest in the card has continued to grow, driving up its value in the collectors’ market.
The sale of Clark’s card highlights the increasing interest and value of women’s sports collectibles, with fans and collectors showing a growing appreciation for women athletes and their achievements. As more women athletes receive recognition and opportunities in professional sports, their memorabilia and collectibles are also gaining in popularity and value. The sale of Clark’s card for a record-breaking amount demonstrates the high demand for women’s sports cards and memorabilia among collectors and fans alike.
As the Fever head into the playoffs with Clark leading the way, the excitement and interest in the team and its players continue to grow. Clark’s standout performances and leadership on the court have solidified her as a rising star in the WNBA, drawing attention and admiration from fans and collectors alike. The Fever’s playoff run and Clark’s continued success will likely further increase the value and demand for her collectibles, including her rookie card, as she cements her place as one of the league’s top players.
Overall, Caitlin Clark’s WNBA draft rookie card sale for a record-breaking amount highlights the growing interest and value of women’s sports collectibles, as fans and collectors show increasing appreciation for women athletes and their achievements. Clark’s success on the court and the Fever’s improved performance have further fueled interest in her card and memorabilia, driving up its value in the collectors’ market. With Clark leading the way, the Fever heading into the playoffs, and interest in women’s sports collectibles on the rise, the future looks bright for women athletes and their memorabilia in the world of sports collectibles.
