WNBA

‘Thank You Caitlin Clark,’ ‘Disgusting Behavior’ — Outrage Erupts As Fever Star Is Left Off Yahoo Graphic Celebrating WNBA’s Record First-Round Ratings

October 7, 2026

The WNBA shattered its first-round viewership record this season, drawing an average of 1.3 million viewers across 10 games on ESPN, Prime Video, and USA Network. The surge was largely fueled by Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, whose three matchups averaged 1.93 million viewers—nearly double the 985,000 average for the other first-round games.

Even the Fever’s lowest-attended game (1.42 million for a 99-89 win in Game 2) outdrew the highest-rated non-Fever contest (1.40 million for Golden State’s Game 2). Despite their elimination in Game 3 by the Las Vegas Aces, Clark’s impact on ratings was undeniable, with second-round viewership plummeting after her team’s exit—Valkyries-Aces drew just 500,000, while Dream-Liberty managed 654,000.

Yahoo Sports’ celebratory graphic highlighting A’Ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Gabby Williams, and Angel Reese sparked backlash for omitting Clark, given her central role in the record-breaking numbers. Fans and analysts argued the post should have included her, as the Fever’s games consistently led viewership trends throughout the first round.