The Indiana Fever hasn’t even drafted Caitlin Clark yet, but they’re already reaping the benefits.
The former Iowa State superstar is expected to be unanimously selected by the Fever with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15, and Indiana told ESPN the pick has already been decided. . Ticket interest ‘spikes’.
Amid growing interest, the Fever reportedly took the “unprecedented” move of pre-selling tickets for one game instead of two over a 15-day period.
Indiana is leaning heavily on Clark’s fan base in selling these tickets, even if the team can’t say the 22-year-old is coming to town just yet.
“The Fever is ushering in the most anticipated season in franchise history!” Read the pre-sale website. “Come watch the 2024 No. 1 pick team up with 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston.”
As we saw during the NCAA Tournament, Clark’s presence also drives up ticket prices.
Vivid Sheets told ESPN that Indiana University’s season opener against the Connecticut Sun on May 14th has increased in price by 91% since the draft pick was announced, and the Fever’s home opener against the Liberty on May 16th has increased in price by 50%. He said the price had increased.
SeatGeek told the outlet that the average resale value for Indiana games is $182, an increase of 136 percent from last year’s 13-27 campaign.
front office sports was also reported Clark’s road games are very expensive compared to other teams, with some tickets costing more than $100.
“This is definitely the most important example I can think of on the women’s side,” Chris Lyden, SeatGeek’s director of growth marketing, told ESPN.
current champion ace previously announced They will move their July 2 home game against Indiana from Michelob Ultra Arena to the larger T-Mobile Arena.
That game represents 1 of 5 items sold outas of April 5th.
The league and its television partners, primarily ESPN, are also fully committed to Clark, with 36 of the Fever’s 40 games scheduled to be broadcast nationally this season.
Indiana only played one varsity game last season.
