Caitlin Clark brings in 2.1million viewers on TV for her WNBA debut, making it the most-watched league game in over two decades

Caitlin Clark brings in 2.1million viewers on TV for her WNBA debut, making it the most-watched league game in over two decades.

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut averaged 2.1million viewers on TV, Tuesday, making it the most-watched professional women’s basketball game in over 20 years.

Despite the 21-year-old point guard’s first league game of the season ending up in a blowout loss to the Connecticut Sun, fans tuned into ESPN2 for the Indiana Fever’s away contest last night.

What’s more is that Clark and Co. gained more viewers than two NBA Christmas Day games last year, according to Joe Pompliano.

Betting also was six times higher on Caesars Sportsbook for the Fever’s 92-71 loss than Game 4 of the Las Vegas Aces’ final victory over the New York Liberty in last season’s WNBA Finals.

Clark’s debut ended up being the most-bet game at Caesars over any WNBA game last season, too.

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut had more viewership than two NBA Christmas Day games last year.

Wagering on that game helped propel betting on the league overall, with the number of tickets up 516 percent at Caesars over last year’s opening night and the amount of money up 84 percent.

The Fever-Sun game also was the most-bet WNBA game ever on BetMGM, though specific numbers weren’t immediately available.

Clark’s over/under of 20.5 points was the most-bet proposition wager at that sportsbook in the WNBA and NBA. She scored 20 points, overcoming a slow start that included 10 turnovers for the game.

Clark was the second-most popular selection among men and women over the past week on the fantasy site PrizePicks. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards was ahead of Clark, putting her ahead of such players as Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum.

Clark scored 20 points, overcoming a slow start that included 10 turnovers on Tuesday night.

The number of picks on the site for all WNBA games was 185 percent higher than last year’s opening night.

Clark has been expected to lift the WNBA to new heights, similar to what she did over the past two years in leading Iowa to the national championship game in back-to-back seasons. Her style was a big part of the increased interest in women’s basketball, with Clark willing to regularly shoot from the midcourt logo as she became the NCAA’s Division I all-time scoring leader in her four years with the Hawkeyes.

The Fever selected her with the No. 1 overall pick this year, but Indiana remains in rebuilding mode even with Clark and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston. The Sun played in the WNBA Finals just two seasons ago, losing in four games to the Aces. They made the semifinals last season before losing in four games to the Liberty.

‘Disappointed and nobody likes to lose, that’s how it is,’ Clark said after the loss to the Sun. ‘Can’t beat yourself up too much about one game.’

HOT NEWS: 

HOW TO WATCH CAITLIN CLARK, KAMILLA CARDOSO IN ESPN’S ‘FULL COURT PRESS’ DOCUSERIES

How to watch Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso in ESPN’s ‘Full Court Press’ docuseries

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark arrives on the Red Carpet before the world premiere and screening of Episode 1 of the upcoming ESPN+ Original Series Full Court Press, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)AP

Women’s college basketball fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest stars of the 2023-24 season in the ESPN+ Original Series, “Full Court Press,” premiering this weekend.

The docuseries follows the lives of Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso and UCLA guard Kiki Rice. Episodes 1 and 2 will air on Saturday, May 11, and Episodes 3 and 4 on Sunday, May 12.

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, and Cardoso, the third overall pick by the Chicago Sky begin their rookie, regular season next week.

How to watch: Fans can watch “Full Court Press” via a subscription to Sling TV, which is offering $25 off any package for the first month or a three-month subscription for just $90.

All episodes will be available on demand on ESPN+ following the initial broadcasts.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: “Full Court Press” premiere.

When: 

Saturday, May 11, 2024, 1 p.m: Episodes 1 and 2

Sunday, May 12, 12:30 p.m: Episodes 3 & 4

TV: ABC

Live stream: Sling TV

Here’s a recent AP story on Caitlin Clark:

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark already is one of the WNBA’s most recognizable players.

So when she made her first road trip last week, the league’s top overall draft pick had to adapt. Instead of loading her bag directly onto a plane and boarding, Clark found herself traversing the same lines and waits as everyone else at the Dallas airport — just like most of the league’s players.

It’s a hassle she wouldn’t mind avoiding on future trips and now league commissioner Cathy Engelbert is working on a solution.

One day after Engelbert told a group of sports editors that she’s trying to find regular charter flights for all 12 WNBA teams, Clark and her new teammates embraced the move.

“I think you just have to be aware of where you are,” Clark said after Wednesday’s practice. “You travel with security, which is nice. It’s just different from college where you put your bag on the plane, hop on the plane and then you’re off. But like (here) you’re waiting at baggage claim, you’ve got to go through the normal security with everybody else. For me, it was my first time doing it. It wasn’t terrible. I just went about my business and kept my head down.”

Clark went on to score 21 points in her pro debut, a 79-76 loss.

But her star power has only fueled a debate that took center stage last season when Phoenix Suns star Brittney Griner was confronted by a man who started asking questions as she walked through an airport. The incident became so heated that the man was tackled and law enforcement was called.

League officials called the man’s actions “inappropriate” and “unfortunate.”

It spurred a leaguewide debate over player safety with some veteran stars asking that league officials do more, including charter flights. And now, with one of the most heralded rookie classes entering the league, Engelbert wants to take action even if she doesn’t have a defined timetable for when it could happen.

Fever coach Christie Sides also remembered sleeping in an airport while working with the Chicago Sky because of several delays before the flight was eventually canceled. She said the team took a 6 a.m. flight and played later that night.

For those reasons, it can’t start soon enough for those who have been around the league for years — or for Clark, who has been driving WNBA ticket sales upward after spending her last two seasons at Iowa driving a substantial increase in television ratings.

“I’m thankful at whatever point that happens, that would be great for us. It will make recovery easier, it will make travel easier,” Clark said. “It just makes life a lot easier for a lot of people, but also it’s just something a lot of people have deserved for years and years.”

HOT NEWS: 

🥰 CAITLIN CLARK HUGS GABBIE MARSHALL, IOWA HAWKEYES TEAMMATE AFTER WINNING GAME. INDIANA FEVER

🥰 Caitlin Clark Hugs Gabbie Marshall, Iowa Hawkeyes Teammate After Winning Game. Indiana Fever

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Caitlin Clark Posted Special Message For Former Iowa Teammate

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 09: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) hugs her former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate Gabbie Marshall after playing against the Atlanta Dream during a WNBA preseason game on May 9, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark made her home debut in front of a record-setting crowd as the Indiana Fever squared off against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday night. Before her first preseason game, Clark revealed her parents and boyfriend wouldn’t be in attendance. Fast forward to her second preseason game and it’s unclear if they were in attendance, but a dear friend – and former teammate – was. Fellow Iowa star Gabbie Marshall was on hand to witness Clark’s first home game with the Fever. Following the game, the two exchanged a hug on the court and took a few photos together. On Friday afternoon, Clark took to her Instagram story to share one of the photos taken and give a message to her former teammate. “Ily,” she said while tagging Marshall in the photo. 

Caitlin Clark

Following the game, Clark raved about the record-setting crowd. “It was a lot of fun, I thought they were loud, I thought they were into it,” Clark said, via ESPN. “It was fun to see. “This is a preseason game on a Thursday night and there’s 13,000 people here. I think that just shows what it’s going to be like for us all season, and it’s going to help us. There are going to be games at home that you’re going to need to win. So, I’m excited for our home opener. I think it’s going to be a packed house, obviously, versus a really great team [the New York Liberty]. It’s pretty incredible. Thirteen thousand at a preseason game is pretty unheard of.” Clark and the Fever open their regular season on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun.