Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Showdown Sets WNBA Ratings Records!
Sunday's showdown between Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky was not just oft discussed, it was watched by millions.
Sunday's Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever game averaged 2.25 million viewers on CBS.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 18, 2024
It was the most-watched WNBA game on any network in 23 years, up 225% from the same window last season. pic.twitter.com/dNxv9jXJEx
The contest drew 2.25 million viewers on CBS, making it the most watched WNBA game on any network in 23 years. For context, both Clark and Reese are 22-years-old meaning it was the biggest event in the women's professional basketball league in their lifetimes.
The game peaked at nearly 3 million viewers and increased 225% over the same programming window from last season, so for all the negativity about the Reese flagrant foul on Clark, it is clear the rookies and rivalry have had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the WNBA as a whole. With many fans choosing to spend Father's Day in front of the television.
Clark's Fever squad has gotten the best of Reese and the Sky in both the team's matchups this season and the sport's biggest star continues to put up big numbers in the midst of unprecedented attention and scrutiny.
Most 20/5/5 games as a rookie:
— Extra Muse (@extra_muse) June 16, 2024
7 — Tamika Catchings
5 — Caitlin Clark‼️
5 — Diana Taurasi
Clark still has 25 games left to play. pic.twitter.com/mpGpvDkq73
Clark is the fastest player in the history of the league to accumulate 200+ points, 75+ rebounds and 75+ assists. She also became the first rookie since Breanna Stewart in 2016 to compile five games of 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
That of course is on top of the massive increase in ratings and attendance the league is experiencing, with no game generating more buzz or garnering more eyeballs than the latest chapter in the rivalry between Clark and Reese.
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!