WNBA preseason schedule: Caitlin Clark to make Fever debut on Friday – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever held a 2-9 record before Friday’s 85-83 win over the still winless Washington Mystics who have now lost their 11th straight game. Despite the horrible win-loss slate between both teams, the Capital One Arena was sold out. 20,333 fans reportedly bought tickets to catch the action, making the encounter the most-watched WNBA game in 17 years.

Before the Mystics hosted the Fever, they also faced the Angel Reese-led Chicago Sky at home less than 24 hours before the Indiana tip-off. Reese, who is from Maryland, had his homecoming in front of reportedly 10,000 fans. In back-to-back games and two straight nights, Washington was at the center of women’s basketball.

Clark and Reese are two of the most popular rookies to ever arrive in the WNBA. Both reset viewing records during their legendary collegiate battles. Their 2023 NCAA championship showdown and their Elite Eight rematch this year are two of the most-watched games in basketball regardless of the competition.

Jason Whitlock, though, pointed out the disparity in viewership when Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese do not go head-to-head. Here’s what he posted on X, formerly Twitter, regarding the difference in two back-to-back Mystics games that had both attending on separating occasions:

“One night earlier, in Angel Reese’s “homecoming” game, the Mystics drew 10,000 spectators. Draw your own conclusions.”

Per Statista, the average attendance of Washington Mystics games last season was 4,391. Reese’s “homecoming game” more than doubled what the Mystics normally had. Clark’s presence, though, is an entirely different phenomenon. She was unquestionably the reason why more than 20,000 people trooped to Capital One Arena.

Angel Reese was right when she insisted that fans don’t just watch the games because of Caitlin Clark. The self-named “Chi Barbie” is also a big reason why the WNBA is getting the limelight. But, wherever the former Iowa star plays, she just consistently outdraws Reese or any other current star in the league.

The Angel Reese versus Caitlin Clark rematch in Indiana will be another big draw

Early this month, Caitlin Clarks Indiana Fever held on to eke out a 71-70 win over the Sky in Chicago. The rematch will be on June 16, with Indiana hosting the said showdown. Gainbridge Fieldhouse nearly has 18,000 seats, all of which have been sold out for the said encounter.

Reese will be part of the reason the venue will be filled. But, everyone knows Clark is the main draw of the said event. Games involving the Sky and the Fever have been highly anticipated. This one featuring both will again be a major draw that will only help push women’s basketball to even greater heights.