Caitlin Clark is set to make her professional debut in the WNBA for the Indiana Fever, with high expectations and unprecedented public interest surrounding her entrance into the league. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN 2 and will take place at a sold-out Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Clark, a standout player from Iowa and college basketball’s all-time leading scorer, has garnered significant attention and adulation prior to her WNBA debut, with many viewing her as a potential game-changer for women’s sports.
The game against Connecticut will see Clark face off against a formidable opponent, as the Fever look to improve on their 13-27 record from the previous season. Connecticut, on the other hand, had a strong 27-13 record in 2023, making them the favorites in this matchup according to FanDuel. Clark’s scoring prowess in college, with 3,951 points in 139 games, is unmatched in women’s basketball history. However, her impact off the court, highlighted by appearances on shows like “Saturday Night Live,” has brought significant attention to the women’s game.
The WNBA is hopeful that Clark’s star appeal will bring more attention and viewership to the league, especially following the success of the NCAA women’s basketball championship game that drew more viewers than the men’s championship. Additionally, the upcoming charter flights for WNBA teams will provide players with the same travel accommodations as their male counterparts, marking a significant step forward for the league. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is optimistic about the future of the league and is expecting a lucrative TV deal in the upcoming negotiations.
Clark is part of a draft class in the WNBA that includes other notable players with significant on- and off-the-court star power. LSU’s Angel Reese, known as “Bayou Barbie” with a massive following on Instagram, was selected by the Chicago Sky, while Stanford’s Cameron Brink, with a strong social media presence and connections to basketball royalty like Sonya Curry, was taken by the Los Angeles Sparks. These young stars bring with them a new level of excitement and interest to the WNBA, potentially attracting a wider audience to the sport moving forward.
