The Indiana Fever, the expected landing spot for Clark, will have 36 nationally broadcast games

Pat McAfee is recognizing Caitlin Clark’s remarkable impact on women’s sports.

With the women’s basketball NCAA Championship game attracting over 18 million viewers, four million more than the men’s game, McAfee believes the WNBA is taking notice. Clark’s anticipated selection as the first overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever is a testament to her talent, and the team is already experiencing the benefits of having her on their roster in the future.

In the 2023 season, the Fever had only one nationally broadcasted game out of 40.

However, for the 2024 season, the Fever’s national broadcast schedule has expanded significantly, with 36 games scheduled to be aired nationally.

“The Caitlin Clark effect has now hit the WNBA,” McAfee posted on X.

On Wednesday’s episode of his show, McAfee shared his perspective on how Clark will elevate the WNBA during her rookie season.

“‘Have you seen the f*****g ratings?’ is what the WNBA people were saying to the networks that cover the WNBA,” McAfee said.

“Now we’re living in a world where she’s affecting the WNBA and she hasn’t even been drafted yet, but we’re also looking at the women outgained the men.

“That is two years in a row that the women’s March Madness became the story after leaving March Madness.

“The women’s side, all the stars showed up seemingly at every single step. In the national championship you get Dawn Staley and the South Carolina team that’s undefeated versus Caitlin Clark in her last rodeo.

“It’s like a perfect storyline, it’s phenomenal.”

Clark narrowly missed clinching a national championship, as her team fell to South Carolina in the title game. Nevertheless, she etched her name into college basketball history by resetting the scoring record for both men’s and women’s competitions.

Fans expressed their anticipation for the upcoming era of the WNBA with Clark’s imminent arrival in the comments section of McAfee’s post.

“Hopefully it will lead to all of them making more money,” one fan said.

“Only adding fuel to the fire of the haters. I love it!” another fan said.

“Already changing the league,” a third fan said.

“She’s gonna make the WNBA a boatload of money,” a fourth fan said.