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Everyone’s talking about her since she shattered NCAA records during her time at the University of Iowa and was selected as the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
She is present. She is nearby. She is present in every single place.
She’s Caitlin Clark.
Chances are that if you’ve been following any online sports discussions, you’ve seen the 22-year-old’s name pop up multiple times per day over the last several months. Clark’s name is practically synonymous with the WNBA and women’s basketball at this point, leading to her impact on the sport being dubbed ‘The Caitlin Clark Effect.’
No matter your personal feelings towards her, it is undeniable that Clark’s presence has played a significant role in elevating the WNBA. However, what implications does this hold for the sport? Is it beneficial to have her name continuously debated?
Take a moment to analyze the impact of the Caitlin Clark effect and examine the current state of the WNBA Championship odds.
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Caitlin Clark Effect: The Good
When discussing the Caitlin Clark Effect, it is worth noting the presence of both positive and negative aspects. However, let’s begin by examining the favorable influence she has brought to the league and the overall realm of women’s basketball.
One positive aspect of Clark’s presence is that it has led to more eyes than ever being on the WNBA. Women’s basketball players and fans alike have fought hard to bring a bigger spotlight to the league and that’s finally begun to happen. Hell, her being drafted this year was the main reason why the WNBA Draft saw its highest viewership of all time — 2.45 million viewers with a peak of 3.09 million.
That trend hasn’t even stopped now that she has a handful of games with the Indiana Fever under her belt. According to Front Office Sports, six of the WNBA’s broadcasters have already tallied their most-watched games ever and five of those records came from games featuring Clark and the Fever.
In addition to her influence on television viewers, Clark’s presence has also led to an increase in attendance for the Fever. In 2024, the team has already welcomed 82,857 fans in their first five home games, surpassing the total of 81,336 attendees from 20 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse last season.
Not only that, but games involving Clark during the first weekend of June saw around 7,000 more people than the next closest matchup.
It is highly beneficial for the WNBA when individuals make an effort to watch Clark and the Fever, either through attending the games or watching on TV. Even if someone initially only shows interest in Clark and her team, persuading them to watch just one game can serve as a powerful gateway towards transforming them into a devoted lifelong fan of the WNBA.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year favorite, who holds a -750 odds on BetOnline, being equally entertaining to watch as an NBA player such as Stephen Curry, serves as a powerful reminder to young girls that they can also aspire to become revered sports icons.
The Caitlin Clark Effect has undeniably generated unprecedented interest in the WNBA, ultimately proving its impact at the end of the day.
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Caitlin Clark Effect: The Bad
Although Caitlin Clark’s entry into the WNBA has brought numerous positive changes to women’s basketball, it has not been devoid of conflict and disagreement.
For starters, there’s been a lot of talk about jealousy going around the rest of the league. Clark has brought a lot of eyeballs to the product, resulting in players and fans alike wondering why it took her being drafted for people to start paying more attention. After all, she was receiving more attention from public sports figures and the general public before she was even drafted than some players who have been playing and grinding for years.
It’s that jealousy that has led many WNBA fans to believe that players are taking cheap shots at Clark to vent their frustration. You only have to go back to this past weekend when the Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter gave Clark a hockey-like shoulder check, resulting in every sports media figure giving their opinion on the situation. The fact that the play was called a technical foul rather than a fragrant led to more people believing that there was a bias against Clark.
Various topics regarding race have also grown as Clark plays more WNBA games. The Atheltic‘s Jim Trotter recently wrote about how Clark’s popularity might have a lot to do with the fact that she’s a straight white woman, making her an attractive asset “to local companies and national corporations.”
Even the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson — who’s a two-time WNBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year — has discussed how Clark is having an easier time gaining recognition and respect than a Black woman who some corporations “don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work.”
Clark faced backlash for securing a $28 million contract from Nike, surpassing any previous endorsement deal for a Black WNBA player. Although Clark’s exceptional skills warranted the deal, it is understandable why people are disappointed that a woman of color had never been offered such a lucrative contract.
As Clark is still relatively inexperienced in the league, it is likely that the aforementioned discussions will persist. However, it’s important to note that discomfort may arise before improvements can be made, thus making these conversations essential for fostering an equitable environment.
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WNBA Championship 2024 Odds Update (6/4)
All WNBA Championship odds are courtesy of BetOnline.
- Las Vegas Aces (+105)
- New York Libert (+165)
- Connecticut Sun (+1000)
- Minnesota Lynx (+1400)
- Seattle Storm (+1600)
- Phoenix Mercury (+330)
- Dallas Wings (+4000)
- Chicago Sky (+4500)
- Atlanta Dream (+5000)
- Indiana Fever (+6600)
- Washington Mystics (+15000)
- Los Angeles Sparks (+15000)
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