For years, the NBA has ruled prime-time television, with LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant as its undisputed kings. But 2024 has brought a seismic shift — and at the center of it is 23-year-old WNBA sophomore Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever star is set to appear in more nationally televised games this season than any NBA player, including James himself.
Let that sink in. The most-watched NBA superstar of the last two decades is getting less national airtime than a WNBA player. This isn’t just history in the making — it’s history rewritten in bold and all caps.
Caitlin Clark Leaves LeBron James and the NBA in the Dust
According to the Clark Report, the Indiana Fever will play 41 nationally televised or streamed games this WNBA season, edging out James and the Los Angeles Lakers, who will have 39.
Caitlin Clark and the Fever will have more nationally televised games than any NBA player this year 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iOFTC5nPFU
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport)
That means night after night, more people will be watching Clark than the face of the NBA.
Out of Indiana’s 44 games, 10 will air on ABC or ESPN, and eight more will be on ION, making Clark and the Fever the league’s top draw.
And it’s no fluke. Last season, WNBA games on ESPN jumped 170%, the highest viewership in network history. The WNBA All-Star Game hit a record 3.4 million viewers, and the 2024 WNBA Draft pulled in 2.4 million, the most in league history.
Clark’s popularity is changing how networks schedule. CBS will air the first-ever WNBA prime-time games on broadcast TV, both featuring Clark’s Fever against the Chicago Sky (June 7 and Aug. 9). A year ago, that would’ve seemed far-fetched — maybe even impossible. Now? It’s just another day in Clark’s world.
Clark Climbing to the Top in Popularity
The 2024 WNBA All-Star isn’t just getting airtime, she’s dominating the spotlight. Morning Consult’s latest poll named Clark America’s favorite active athlete, ahead of James, Patrick Mahomes, Curry, Travis Kelce, and Josh Allen. She’s not just in the mix with the biggest names in sports — she’s outpacing them. And this isn’t just about hoops.
Financially, Clark is climbing fast. With an estimated net worth of $5 million, she’s also signed a $28 million deal with Nike, including her own signature shoe. At the same time, the WNBA has landed a massive $2.2 billion, 11-year media rights deal with ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal.
James’ run as basketball’s top draw isn’t over, but it’s officially being challenged. As he nears the end of his career, Clark is just getting started. She’s already ahead of every NBA player in national TV exposure. Next up? Becoming the biggest name in basketball.
