Caitlin Clark’s transition into the WNBA continues to make headlines—not just on the court, but on television screens across the nation. During her highly anticipated preseason debut with the Indiana Fever on May 4, Clark delivered a performance worthy of her college legacy, impressing a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd in Iowa. The former Iowa Hawkeye standout racked up 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and even sank one of her signature long-range three-pointers, giving fans exactly what they came to see.
What happened after the final buzzer, however, might be even more impressive. ESPN revealed that Clark’s debut drew a staggering 1.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA preseason game in history—and eclipsing nearly every NBA preseason game over the last decade and a half. Only two NBA preseason games have attracted more viewers on ESPN since 2010, and both featured none other than LeBron James. To put this in perspective, her game beat out Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals in terms of viewership.
ESPN’s Vice President of Research, Flora Kelly, praised the milestone, calling the audience turnout “wonderful for a preseason game.” She also pushed back against critics claiming the NBA’s popularity is waning, noting that the league recently had its most-watched Playoffs Opening weekend ever. Still, Clark’s ability to pull numbers usually reserved for the biggest names in men’s basketball proves her growing cultural impact.
Recognizing this momentum, the WNBA is making sure fans don’t miss a moment of Clark’s sophomore season. Of the Indiana Fever’s 44 regular-season games in 2025, an unprecedented 41 will be nationally televised. This level of exposure is unheard of in the league and a clear sign of how much faith the WNBA is placing in Clark to drive interest and viewership.
Critics who assumed the public’s fascination with Clark would fade after her rookie year are already being proven wrong. As the new WNBA season begins, it’s clear that Caitlin Clark isn’t just here to play—she’s redefining what it means to be a star in professional women’s basketball.
