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Caitlin Clark’s absence puts WNBA crowds to the test

The WNBA’s postseason is testing its ability to sustain fan interest without Caitlin Clark, whose early exit has reshaped the league’s narrative. Indiana’s season ended in the first round after a 94-83 loss to Las Vegas in Game 3, where Clark scored 18 points but turned the ball over six times.

Despite her absence, the league has shown resilience, with record-breaking attendance in 2025—3.1 million fans across 179 sellouts—and Golden State’s inaugural season drawing an average of 18,064 spectators per game, the highest in WNBA history. Clark’s impact on viewership was undeniable, but the league’s growth extends beyond her, as evidenced by strong audiences even when she wasn’t playing, including a 2025 matchup between Indiana and the Sky that averaged 1.92 million viewers without her on the court.

The 2026 regular season also saw a new attendance record, with the league setting a mark that underscores its expanding appeal beyond Indiana’s borders. Clark’s 2026 season, however, remained a major draw, with a June 6 game between Indiana and Connecticut averaging 2.56 million viewers on CBS, ranking among the WNBA’s largest audiences since 2000.

Her influence on television ratings is clear, as 13 of the league’s top 25 audiences over 25 years have featured her involvement, proving her role as a key figure in the WNBA’s rising popularity.

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