NEW YORK – The WNBA is celebrating a historic season, setting records for both in-arena attendance and national television viewership even as one of its brightest stars, Caitlin Clark, has spent much of the year sidelined by injury.
League officials announced Tuesday that total attendance reached 2.43 million, surpassing the previous record of 2.36 million set in 2002 and topping last year’s mark of 2.35 million. The surge comes at a time when Clark, the Indiana Fever guard and former Iowa standout who has been credited with fueling a wave of new interest in women’s basketball, has missed more than 20 games due to recurring leg injuries.
Television audiences also rose sharply. ABC reported an average of 1.43 million viewers per broadcast, representing a 13 percent increase from the previous season. ESPN and CBS Sports also posted year-over-year gains, with multiple games drawing more than 1 million viewers.
A Season of Growth
The league’s strong showing underscores the depth of talent beyond Clark and the durability of the momentum she helped generate. Stars such as A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty and Sabrina Ionescu have all played central roles in sustaining fan engagement throughout the season.
“The numbers reflect what we already know. This league is growing, and fans are responding in record fashion,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
Attendance surged in markets like New York, Dallas and Washington, where local teams have made playoff pushes. The Liberty in particular drew multiple sellout crowds at Barclays Center, with fans packing arenas weeks in advance for matchups against top contenders.
Clark’s Impact Despite Absence
Even though Clark has been absent since late June, her influence remains clear. The Fever reported significant spikes in season-ticket sales and merchandise revenue following her arrival as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2024. Analysts say her popularity helped set the stage for this year’s across-the-board growth.
“Clark changed the baseline expectations for what the WNBA could achieve commercially,” said sports business consultant Shira Springer. “What is striking is that the league is now showing it can sustain momentum without her on the court.”
While Indiana has struggled without its star rookie, the Fever remain in the playoff hunt. Team officials have not set a timetable for Clark’s return but expressed optimism that she could recover in time for the postseason.
Broader Cultural Moment
The league’s surge comes amid a broader wave of attention for women’s sports. The NCAA women’s basketball championship shattered ratings records in April, and the NWSL has seen growth in both attendance and broadcast deals.
Corporate sponsorships are also climbing. Nike, State Farm and Google have expanded partnerships with the WNBA this season, betting that the league’s trajectory will continue upward.
“Brands are recognizing that women’s sports deliver loyal, engaged audiences,” said SpringHill Company executive Jamal Henderson, who oversees sports partnerships. “The WNBA is no longer just a niche property. It is a mainstream entertainment product.”
Challenges Ahead
Despite the momentum, challenges remain. Player salaries are still a fraction of their NBA counterparts, and travel conditions have been a point of tension. Some teams continue to play in smaller arenas, limiting revenue potential.
Still, analysts say the 2025 numbers represent a turning point. With expansion discussions under way and new media rights negotiations on the horizon, the WNBA enters the offseason in its strongest position yet. “The records are important not just as a milestone but as a foundation,” Engelbert said. “We are proving that the demand for women’s basketball is real and growing, and we intend to build on it.”