**Fever-Sun Game 1 Shatters Records as Most-Watched WNBA Game on ESPN Networks | The Caitlin Clark Effect**

Caitlin Clark’s playoff debut drew a historic audience, setting a new viewership record for a WNBA game on ESPN networks. Despite the game being a blowout, fans flocked to watch, with ABC strategically positioning it as counterprogramming against NFL Sunday — and it paid off. Clark’s electrifying presence continues to captivate, proving her influence goes beyond the court and into the TV ratings.

**Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Playoff Debut Shatters Ratings Despite NFL Competition**

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The anticipation was high to see how many viewers would tune in for Caitlin Clark’s WNBA playoff debut as the Indiana Fever faced the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. Even with fierce competition from the NFL, the game, broadcast on ABC, delivered massive numbers.

A staggering 1.8 million viewers watched Clark’s first playoff appearance, according to Nielsen, far surpassing the combined viewership of the other three WNBA games on ESPN.

Despite a 93-69 blowout loss, the Fever-Sun game outdrew the Dream-Liberty, Mercury-Lynx, and Storm-Aces matchups, which together garnered roughly 1.27 million viewers. Notably, Clark’s game saw a 332% increase in viewership compared to last year’s first-round game on ABC, contributing to an 89% year-over-year increase across all four playoff games.

Clark’s performance wasn’t her best—scoring just 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting—but her impact on viewership is undeniable. Fever head coach Christie Sides acknowledged her struggles but remained confident.

“When I went back and looked, and we even talked about it, she said, ‘I just missed some really wide-open shots.’ And players are gonna have those kinds of nights,” Sides said. “But give Connecticut credit, they made it really difficult on us.”

The Fever-Sun game also had a sold-out crowd of 8,910 at Mohegan Sun Arena, adding to the electric atmosphere. Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell expressed her excitement about the growing attention: “Man, that’s dope,” she said, noting the support from family and friends, even distant relatives, throughout this record-breaking season.

Sun coach Stephanie White, who has experience both in coaching and TV broadcasting, highlighted the significance of these numbers. “The growth of our game is incredible.

To think we’re talking about these viewership numbers on an NFL Sunday is amazing,” White said. “It’s the first year I’ve felt like the college fanbase has carried over to the WNBA, and that certainly helps. But it’s about time.”

The overwhelming support from Iowa, Big Ten, and Caitlin Clark fans is undoubtedly fueling this surge in WNBA viewership, proving that Clark’s presence is a game-changer—on and off the court.

The Indiana Fever, thanks to Clark, helped each of their broadcast partners (ABC, ESPN, ION) record their most-viewed WNBA game ever and they easily had the highest attendance at both home and away games. Almost 650,000 — and 200,000 more than the next team, the New York Liberty, who finished with the best record.

If Clark’s playing and it’s airing on a national network, it’ll inevitable draw more than one million viewers. Half that would be deemed a huge success before her arrival.

And here’s perspective from the other side, from an opponent.

“That’s kind of been the feel of the whole season and it’s been exciting to be able to be a part of it,” said Sun guard DiJonai Carrington. “You can feel it, whether it’s in the atmosphere, in the arena, or it’s walking through the casino, whether it’s just scrolling on social media, you can see that everyone’s tuned in. And that’s always cool to see and see the growth of this game.”

Game 2 of Fever at Sun airs at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday on ESPN.