Caitlin Clark’s RECORD TV Viewership for WNBA Preseason Game! Angel Reese’s Mom SNIPES at CC Fans!
Caitlin Clark has done it again—and this time, her impact is undeniable, measurable, and impossible to ignore. In a stunning turn of events that’s shaking up the WNBA and sports media alike, Clark’s preseason debut with the Indiana Fever against Brazil drew an astronomical 1.3 million television viewers, setting a new bar not just for women’s basketball, but for preseason sports across the board.
To put it in perspective, this preseason WNBA game outperformed NHL playoff games, which are traditionally considered prime sports content. In fact, the highest-rated NHL playoff game on the same day drew roughly 430,000 fewer viewers than Clark’s debut. The game also eclipsed nearly every NBA preseason game in the last 15 years—with the exception of just two. One of those was LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers preseason debut. That’s the kind of company Caitlin Clark now keeps.
It gets even more mind-blowing. The Clark-led Fever game outdrew Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals. Yes, you read that right—a preseason game attracted a larger audience than the league’s championship showcase from the previous season. In the sports world, this is what we call “moving the needle,” and Caitlin Clark is moving it like no one else.
Meanwhile, the massive success of Clark’s debut has sparked backlash—and not from opposing teams or rival leagues—but from a familiar and somewhat surprising source: Angel Reese’s mother.
Shortly after Clark’s ratings domination made headlines, Reese’s mom took to social media with a sharp jab seemingly aimed at Clark supporters. In a cryptic but clearly targeted tweet, she wrote:
“That certain fan base looking in the stands celebrating attendance while others are looking up in the rafters celebrating championship banners. We ain’t the same.”
It didn’t take long for fans to interpret this as a dig at Clark and the enthusiasm surrounding her record-breaking game. Her implication was clear: championships matter more than popularity or attendance figures. But that narrative quickly ran into trouble—because numbers don’t lie.
While Clark’s Fever game sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena with over 15,000 fans paying up to $670 a ticket, Angel Reese’s WNBA debut for the Chicago Sky at LSU, her national championship stomping grounds, drew only 6,373 fans in an arena with a capacity of 13,215—less than half full. In marketing and media terms, that’s not just a miss; it’s a missed opportunity.
Critics have labeled Reese’s mom’s comments as “defensive” or even “petty,” arguing that acknowledging Clark’s success isn’t diminishing anyone else’s—it’s simply stating facts. Clark is currently the biggest draw in women’s basketball. She’s not just playing in games—she’s turning them into events. Viewers are tuning in to see her the way they tune in to Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Basketball. That’s not just talent—it’s star power.
Adding fuel to the fire is the growing debate over what constitutes “hate.” According to some of Reese’s supporters, discussing attendance and ratings equates to attacking or undermining other players. But sports analysts and fans alike have pushed back, saying this kind of data is central to evaluating impact and growth in any professional league.
As one sports commentator put it:
“It’s not hate. It’s context. It’s compare and contrast. Caitlin Clark is bringing something different to the WNBA—and it’s measurable.”
While Angel Reese continues to be a major personality in the sport, and her social media presence is undeniably massive, the uncomfortable truth remains: Instagram followers do not necessarily translate into live TV viewership or ticket sales. That’s a lesson the WNBA, and its fans, are grappling with as they watch the Caitlin Clark phenomenon unfold.
And yes, it’s a phenomenon.
What Clark is doing can’t be chalked up to hype. It’s sustained, growing, and happening in real-time. From college to the pros, she’s brought a sense of anticipation, an energy that makes every game feel like an event. People aren’t just watching Caitlin Clark. They’re making time to watch Caitlin Clark.
As the WNBA continues its 2025 season, one thing is crystal clear: Caitlin Clark isn’t just here to play—she’s here to change the game.
And if some critics or rival fanbases are uncomfortable with that?
Well… they ain’t the same either.
