17,035 — That’s the average away game attendance for the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA season. Read that again — yes, not home, away. For anyone wondering whether that number is high or low, let’s give you some context: the second-highest away crowd belongs to the New York Liberty, with an average of 12,729. So what’s the reason behind the Fever drawing 5,000 more fans, even on the road? The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is none other than the Caitlin Clark effect!
Regarded as one of the cornerstones of the WNBA’s emphatic growth, the American basketballer has not only redefined the very sport she plays, but also transformed the overall landscape of the women’s game. In fact, call her one of the crucial economic engines of women’s basketball, as hardly anyone would have imagined such growth.
Forget that away attendance feat for a while; even back in her junior and senior years with the University of Iowa, the star point guard solely used to garner record-breaking crowds, while also leaving millions of global television viewers in awe. Well, at least a study from the Common Sense Institute Iowa thinks so.
Apparently, Clark’s presence alone contributed an estimated $52.3 million to the state’s GDP over her four-year college career. Now, as a pro, one can imagine how much her stardom must have risen as she retains a dominant stature that has managed to help unlock new economic, financial, and fandom horizons.
Sport Bilder des Tages Indian Fever Caitlin Clark warms up before the first half against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in New York City. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY NYP20240602504 COREYxSIPKIN
Heck, let’s give you another example — Caitlin Clark’s No. 22 jersey. Guess what? It ranked second on the list of best-selling jerseys across both the WNBA and NBA, trailing only Stephen Curry. The moment she was drafted by Indiana as the No. 1 overall pick in April 2024, her jersey sold out in less than an hour.
That made Caitlin the top-selling draft night pick in Nike’s history. It doesn’t end here; the Des Moines, Iowa native even managed to pip the likes of Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic. So you can imagine the kind of impact Caitlin Clark has made, let alone talking about her achievements.
To name a few, on the domestic front, she was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year and led the league in assists in her debut season. Aside from making the WNBA All-Star, and All-WNBA First Team selection, the 23-year-old was a member of the WNBA All-Rookie Team. She was also the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and holds the distinction of having the top-selling draft night jersey in Nike history.
On the international stage, Clark showcased early signs of success. The latter was named the MVP of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in 2021. Even before her college days, she was honored as a McDonald’s All-American and crowned Iowa Miss Basketball in 2020, which no less than marked the beginning of a generational talent.
However, this isn’t exactly what we’re trying to show you. So far, you’ve heard all the positives about Caitlin. In reality, we have a question for you: After hearing all of this, do you think someone has the capability to single-handedly make such an impact in America’s women’s domestic soccer league, a.k.a the NWSL?
Soccer world figure out the Caitlin Clark of NWSL!
On a typical summer evening, one Reddit user decided to post a unique question on a platform for all the sports fanatics to debate on. The query read, “What rookie/veteran has the potential to become the chosen one to bring major attention to the NWSL and pro women’s soccer as a whole?”
The answers, you ask? Well, it’s something that’s worth taking a look at. In fact, spoiler alert; we bet you won’t be able to find an answer as well. If you can, then boy, do you like to put your money where your mouth is?
Wait, wait. Looks this there is a name after all that can etch not a similar but at least somewhat comparable records like Caitlin Clark. The name? Trinity Rodman. In fact, quite a fitting one to be honest, as the estranged daughter of Dennis Rodman was also ahead of time when she first made her rookie appearance in the NWSL. Aside from once being the highest-paid player in the league, the once-youngest to be drafted was also the youngest goalscorer for USWNT. Even off the pitch, her name is quite synonymous in the sporting world:
“Trinity Rodman is realistically the best placed to become a huge superstar because she’s an exciting attacking player, has a famous last name, is in an athlete power couple, and is conventionally attractive in a feminine way.”
Talking about Clark’s achievements in college alone, she earned back-to-back honors as the AP Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, and John R. Wooden Award winner. She also became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, with her iconic No. 22 jersey later retired by Iowa. Honestly, these are just a few to name, as there are many more. But you can imagine what this 6ft basketball player has proven over the years. So, do you have a name in mind that suggests any NWSL star who has managed to achieve the same? This fan gave a reality check:
“Caitlin Clark initially created all her hype and interest through the college game before entering the WNBA. It’s not really comparable to look for an individual already in the NWSL to create that same kind of attention increase.”
Forget Trinity Rodman. Alyssa Thompson, Sophia Smith, Jaedyn Shaw, Midge Purce—the list is endless when talking about the biggest talents in the National Women’s Soccer League. In fact, we bet there are some names we’ve already forgotten. Regardless, a Reddit user has made a claim that has compelled us to seriously question whether the league and its players could ever match the impact Clark has had:
“That person has not entered the league yet. They might still be in college or they’re younger but they definitely have not been identified yet.”
As mentioned before, there’s no shortage of remarkable talent in the NWSL. In fact, we guarantee that the attacking position, in particular, boasts a standout pool of players in America’s women’s domestic league. So, for this fan, it seems the forward line might just be where someone worthy of rivaling Caitlin Clark could emerge:
“There’s a bunch of Caitlin Clark’s, Angel Reese’s, and Paige Beuckers in the NWSL. There’s so many at a high level of skill just find the team and players with the style of play you like. I play #9 I like pacey, heads up, physical forwards. So I’ll always tune into Wilson, Banda, Temwa, etc. There’s already attention on women’s pro-soccer also.”
Guess what? Another interesting name has emerged that apparently has or has the potential to rival the Caitlin Clark effect other than Trinity Rodman. In fact, we won’t directly name it for you now, read it for yourself. But what we would like to say is we somewhat agree as the below-mentioned talent has often managed to garner eyeballs both on the domestic and international front:
“Nobody currently, but if Midge Purce didn’t have her injuries, I think it could’ve been her. I think she would’ve been breaking ankles and nutmegging left and right to garner attention for the past 3 years. Her performance in the Gold Cup was superstar-worthy.”
Regardless, this is just a glimpse of the responses you saw in the unique debate that shook up the entire NWSL x Reddit fanbase. Honestly, we are quite surprised by the mixed reactions. But now, the spotlight is on you: Who do you think is the Caitlin Clark of the NWSL? Buzz your thoughts in the comments.
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