If you're a basketball fan, you most certainly know of the legendary Caitlin Clark. And if you're not a basketball fan, you still would have most probably heard her name in recent weeks.
On 15 Febraury 2024, Clark broke the all-time scoring record in her 126th career game, breaking Kelsey Plum's record which had been standing since 2017. The collegiate basketball star has been on upward trajectory for the past few years, but her impact transcends mere individual achievement - it's a seismic shift that's reshaping the landscape of the sport itself.
HISTORY FOR CAITLIN CLARK‼️ pic.twitter.com/GlYoWJR1eU
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 16, 2024
Clark has become a household name, with numerous fans flocking to women's basketball to see the star in action. According to national sportscaster and radio personality Dan Patrick, Clark has become "the face of college basketball, [for] men and women,”.
Last season, Division I women's basketball saw record-breaking total attendance of 8,784,401, surpassing the previous record by more than 150,000. At the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, a new tournament-record of 357,542 fans attended, capped by a sellout crowd of 19,482 at the championship game between Iowa and LSU.
It’s also no coincidence that these historic numbers also included Clark setting the record for the most points in an NCAA tournament (191) and the record for the most made 3-pointers (32). Setting records left and right, she not only shattered scoring records but also propelled viewership to new heights. The 2023 NCAA championship game, featuring Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes, drew nearly 10 million viewers on average, marking a 103% increase from the previous year.
This year, Iowa has had matches feature on NBC, Fox and ESPN. An overtime loss at Ohio State also become the most watched regular-season women's basketball game on any network since 2010 - with 1.93 million viewers across NBC and 3.9 million viewers on Peacock. When Iowa faced Maryland on Fox earlier this month, 1.6 million tuned in to watch, breaking the then-network record for the sport. Fox even unveiled a Caitlin Clark Cam, a TikTok viewing experience for the Maryland match, which attacted more than 800,000 viewers.
"Never stop dreaming, because you can achieve way more than you ever thought."
-Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/7wl0TTaL17— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) February 16, 2024
Just this past week, it was revealed that the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament in Minneapolis is almost fully sold-out despite being two weeks away, with fewer than 2,000 tickets across seven sessions remaining (expecting 109,000 fans). This will be the first ever full sell-out for the women’s event.
But it's not just about the numbers; it's about the cultural phenomenon Clark has become. Her games have become must-watch events, attracting attention from celebrities, athletes, and media personalities alike. From first lady Jill Biden to tennis icon Billie-Jean King, everyone wants a glimpse of the Clark magic.
In effect, Clark has caused the media to zone in on the women's game, bringing about more visibility for women's basketball and allowing the younger generation to have the opportunity to see more promotion and broadcasting of the women's game.
The Caitlin Clark effect is real. 💛 pic.twitter.com/NT4YyyQTyJ
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) February 16, 2024
In the wake of Clark's historic performance, the impact she has had on the game of basketball is undeniable. Her record-breaking achievements have captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the world, proving that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of greatness. As the Caitlin Clark Effect continues to reverberate throughout the world of sports, one thing is clear: the future of women's basketball has never been brighter.
