Caitlin Clark’s Absence From WNBA Playoffs will Cause Massive Ratings Drop and Economic Impact

Caitlin Clark’s absence from the WNBA playoffs will have a significant economic and viewership impact on the league, underscoring her status as the biggest draw in women’s basketball. Following her injury in late May 2025, national WNBA TV ratings dropped by roughly 55%, while Indiana Fever games specifically saw a decline of about 53%, falling from an average of 1.81 million viewers with Clark to around 847,000 viewers without her.

Her influence on viewership is undeniable—Fever games on NBA TV without Clark averaged just 343,500 viewers, compared to over 581,000 when she was on the court. Even high-profile matchups showed steep drops: a CBS broadcast featuring Clark earlier in the season averaged 1.92 million viewers, but similar games without her drew closer to 1.47 million.

The broader economic effects even extend to local markets. In Indianapolis, where Clark plays, early projections suggest her popularity could generate up to a $100 million boost for the local economy through increased tourism, hotel stays, merchandise sales, and game-day spending. While those numbers are still speculative, her influence on the Fever’s marketability and the city’s sports economy is undeniable.

Clark’s absence from the playoffs will come at a critical time for the WNBA as it seeks to capitalize on its surge in popularity and negotiate future broadcast and sponsorship deals. With TV ratings plummeting and engagement dipping in her absence, it’s clear that Clark is more than just a superstar athlete—she’s the league’s primary economic engine. Without her on the court, the WNBA loses not only competitive intrigue but also significant financial momentum.