Caitlin Clark Effect Appears to Drive Another Massive WNBA Ratings Surge
Summary
The WNBA is seeing a big rise in TV viewers, largely because of star player Caitlin Clark. Her strong fan following has helped boost ratings, ticket sales, and media attention, leading to the league’s best viewership in decades. The league also recently agreed to a new contract that will increase player salaries starting in 2026.Key Facts
- Caitlin Clark is a major star who joined the WNBA in 2024 after setting scoring records in college.
- A recent preseason game featuring Clark had 743,000 viewers, a 76% increase over last year’s similar game.
- The WNBA’s regular season averaged 1.19 million viewers in 2024, a 170% increase from the previous year.
- Even with Clark injured in 2025, national WNBA broadcasts still saw a 21% increase in viewers.
- Clark’s presence has increased ticket sales, sponsorships, and media coverage for the league.
- The WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement starting in 2026 will raise team salary caps from about $1.5 million to $7 million.
- Average player salaries will go over $583,000, and top players like Clark could earn more than $1 million.
- The league expanded to 15 teams and improved media coverage on TV and streaming services.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.