Caitlin Clark’s return to the WNBA this past weekend was a welcome sight to the Indiana Fever faithful, as well as to those who want to see the league continue to grow. While there has been much gnashing of teeth over Clark’s impact on the league and its success,

Without Caitlin Clark, WNBA viewership nosedives, proving she’s the league’s brightest star and biggest ratings draw.

Caitlin Clark’s absence is not just a setback for the Indiana Fever on the court; it has a significant impact on the entire WNBA. According to Nielsen data reported by USA Today, since she met with injury and remained sidelined due to her left quad strain,

Caitlin Clark has been sidelined with an injury for over a week now and it's fair to say that the WNBA is suffering in her absence. According to USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt, the WNBA's television ratings have plummeted since Clark's injury.

This one game saw a 75% increase in ratings for CBS from the 2024 WNBA season. The Fever dominated the Sky with a 79-52 win in the first-ever WNBA game played at the United Center.  It also saw Sky veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot suffering an ACL injury,