It’s quite apparent now that both Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese have elevated the WNBA as a league. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert supported that claim by calling their rookie class generational amid the rise in popularity of their sport.
The WNBA has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity this season, largely driven by the meteoric rise of Clark and Reese. From the draft to the All-Star game, their impact has been undeniable.
The 2024 Draft became the most-watched in league history, with 2.4 million viewers – a 307% increase over 2023. This viewership spike continued throughout the season, with the recent All-Star game drawing 3.44 million viewers, peaking at 4.1 million – a 305% increase from the previous year.
Clark and Reese’s individual performances have been a major factor in this viewership boom. The two most-watched non-All-Star games this season were between their teams, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, each surpassing 2 million viewers. This momentum is also reflected in merchandise sales, which have increased by over 500% since the start of the regular season, with Clark and Reese occupying the top two spots in player-specific jersey sales.
As the WNBA prepares to resume play after the Olympics, the league is poised for even more excitement. The MVP race, Rookie of the Year award, and potential playoff berths for the Fever and Sky will undoubtedly generate more views and revenue for the rapidly growing league.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Called Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s Rookie Class as Generational
Even in their first year as pros., both Clark and Reese have made the WNBA more popular. In an article written by Max Escarpio for Athlon Sports, Engelbert paid tribute to two stars’ rookie class by calling it generational.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was recently interviewed on the CBS Network series “Beyond Limits.” During the show, Engelbert shared her thoughts on the 2024 WNBA rookie class, particularly with the influence of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Engelbert called the rookie class “generational,” given the historic seasons that players like Clark and Reese have put together.
“Angel [Reese], you know, these consecutive double-doubles every night, and Caitlin [Clark] still putting up those logo threes while being double-triple-teamed… really, it’s just a generational class,” Engelbert said.
Both rookies have taken the league by storm, shattering records and captivating audiences. Reese set a new league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles, while Clark leads all rookies in scoring and assists.
Their impact has driven unprecedented viewership and merchandise sales, positioning the WNBA for an exciting second half of the season. If they keep this trend up, Engelbert’s claim about their rookie class will become gospel truth for generations to come.
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