We all know that the WNBA's meteoric rise in popularity is due to Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. But how much of that spike is due to Clark? We now know the answer to that question.
write to indianapolis star Tuesday, Dana Hunsinger Benbow detail A new discovery by Dr. Ryan Brewer, a valuation expert who specializes in calculating personal economic value.
What did he find? The WNBA owes nearly half of its broadcast value to Caitlin Clark.
According to the article, Brewer said, “Thanks to Clark, total television viewership increased by 300 percent, and 45 percent of total broadcast value came from Fever Games.” “League merchandise sales reached 500 percent, with Clark ranked No. 1, followed by Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, another rookie.”
Brewer predicts Clark's popularity share in the league will only increase as his career progresses.
And outside of the WNBA, who will get the most reward for Clark's impact on the league? The city where she plays.
“The most surprising number is Mr. Clark's economic impact on the city of Indianapolis, which Mr. Brewer says is more than $36 million,” the article said. “It's not as big as the $400 million in financial support the city received from the NBA All-Star Game in February, but it's 10% of that.”
“Now, let's take a breath and think about this,” Brewer said. “That's one year. We're talking about a player.”
With Clark's rookie season just around the corner, a new coach in place and more postseason appearances, there's every reason to believe her value will only increase.
