The Sun win 92-71 Not the best way to start Caitlin Clark's professional career. vlog's Ophelie Jacobson is LIVE from Bevy's Tavern in West Des Moines where a watch party just wrapped up. Ophelie the crowd is a little disappointed coming off tonight's game. Stacey, Ben... Win or lose...fans I talked to today say wherever Caitlin Clark goes...they will follow. Although she is no longer an Iowa Hawkeye, people say she will always be their hometown hero. <NAT POP OF CROWD> It's the start of a new er
WNBA reports record attendance, TV viewership in first month of 2024 season
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Updated: 10:11 AM CDT Jun 11, 2024
The WNBA is reporting record viewership both on TV and in attendance through the first month of the 2024 season, thanks in part to rookie stars like Caitlin Clark.Previous video above: Fans watch Caitlin Clark made WNBA debut at West Des Moines barThe league announced this week that everything from League Pass subscriptions to merchandise sales and social media interactions are up year-over-year.According to the WNBA, approximately 400,000 fans attended games in-person from the beginning of the season on May 14 through the end of the month, and more than half of all games were sellout crowds. Arenas were filled up to 94% capacity, according to the league, which marks a 17% rise from 2023.TV viewership is up, too. The league reported 1.32 million viewers on average across its games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and CBS compared to 462,000 average viewers for games on those networks last year.“What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: The demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment,” said Colie Edison, the WNBA’s chief growth officer. “We’re encouraged by growing engagement across all our verticals, especially as we welcome new and diverse audiences into our fandom. The WNBA continues to experience sustained growth as our league embraces this heightened momentum.”Clark, who won Rookie of the Month honors in May, ranks in the top five of WNBA jersey sales alongside fellow rookies Cameron Brink and Angel Reese.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The WNBA is reporting record viewership both on TV and in attendance through the first month of the 2024 season, thanks in part to rookie stars like Caitlin Clark.
Previous video above: Fans watch Caitlin Clark made WNBA debut at West Des Moines bar
The league announced this week that everything from League Pass subscriptions to merchandise sales and social media interactions are up year-over-year.
According to the WNBA, approximately 400,000 fans attended games in-person from the beginning of the season on May 14 through the end of the month, and more than half of all games were sellout crowds. Arenas were filled up to 94% capacity, according to the league, which marks a 17% rise from 2023.
TV viewership is up, too. The league reported 1.32 million viewers on average across its games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and CBS compared to 462,000 average viewers for games on those networks last year.
“What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: The demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment,” said Colie Edison, the WNBA’s chief growth officer. “We’re encouraged by growing engagement across all our verticals, especially as we welcome new and diverse audiences into our fandom. The WNBA continues to experience sustained growth as our league embraces this heightened momentum.”
Clark, who won Rookie of the Month honors in May, ranks in the top five of WNBA jersey sales alongside fellow rookies Cameron Brink and Angel Reese.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
