Caitlin Clark, Fever Draw 1.3 Million Viewers in Iowa Return

Caitlin Clark’s return to Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the Indiana Fever’s preseason game against the Brazilian national team averaged 1.3 million viewers, according to ESPN on Tuesday. The average viewership for Sunday’s game was 13% higher than ESPN’s 2024 regular-season average for the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark Returns to Iowa

The Fever-Brazil television audience peaked at 1.6 million, and the game drew a sellout crowd of 15,000 at Carver-Hawkeye. The average paid ticket price on the resale market was $440. The Indiana Fever’s 108-44 victory over the Brazilian national team was a WNBA exhibition game that sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the homecoming for the former Hawkeyes star.

In Clark’s return, she made it look like she hadn’t missed a beat since last season, she made a 36-footer with ease, and the 15,000 fans rose to their feet a roared. When asked about the shot, Clark said, “I don’t know if I shoot 36-footers every day, but 30-plus for sure. It was just kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing. You don’t always realize where you are.” Clark hit the shot with 26.1 seconds left in the third quarter, knowing she would sit the final quarter. It was her first game action since Sept. 25 last season.

Clark said the atmosphere was electric and something special when returning to Iowa for the exhibition game. Clark said, “It’s hard to put it into words what exactly it means to me. It’s almost overwhelming. I’m just very thankful to come back to a place that continues to support me.”

Indiana Fever: Get Ready For the Season

Clark and the Indiana Fever are back for another WNBA season. The Fever will play their first regular season game on May 17 against the Chicago Sky and their star forward Angel Reese. The WNBA will televise 41 of 44 games of the Fever this season. This marks the most national TV games for a single team in WNBA history. Clark’s impact on the WNBA has been tremendous.

In her rookie season, the viewership of the 22 games televised averaged over 1 million viewers. A record that has not been achieved since 2008. The Indiana Fever is one of the most popular and most-watched teams in the WNBA.