- WNBA. Angel Reese turns heads courtside with celebrity-approved outfit and chic Balenciaga bag
- WNBA. Caitlin Clark would give her approval to Stephanie White as Indiana Fever's new coach for a reason
In an intense West Coast vs. East Coast showdown, the Los Angeles Dodgers captured their eighth World Series title by overcoming the New York Yankees in five games. Game 5 was the highlight, pulling in a record 18.6 million viewers-the highest-rated MLB game in seven years.
Yet, the NCAA Championship game featuring Iowa's Caitlin Clark saw even more impressive viewership numbers. With Clark leading Iowa against South Carolina, the college basketball championship averaged 18.7 million viewers, spiking to 24 million at its peak, slightly outpacing the MLB's biggest game.
Even before turning pro, Clark has captured attention on a level rarely seen in college sports, emphasizing her widespread appeal.
Despite the Dodgers' exceptional season and Shohei Ohtani's historic achievement of 50 home runs and 50 steals, Clark's final college game exceeded the viewership of the World Series-a reflection of her unique popularity and influence.
Stealing the spotlight in the WNBA too
Clark's transition to the WNBA has only amplified this impact. Last season saw record-breaking ratings on multiple networks, with five exceeding 1.6 million viewers each.
Her Indiana Fever participated in 20 of the 23 games that reached over a million viewers, showcasing her unmatched draw in the league.
Even the WNBA Draft saw unprecedented attention, attracting 2.45 million viewers, setting a new benchmark for women's sports viewership.
Clark's debut in the WNBA continued to set records, pulling in 3.44 million viewers, well above the previous 1.44 million record set in 2003.
Her rapid rise has redefined expectations for women's sports audiences, showing a new level of fan engagement. Though her earnings may not yet match top names such as Ohtani, Clark's influence on viewership signals a shift.