Caitlin Clark’s absence has loomed large over the WNBA. Sidelined nearly three weeks with a strained left quad, the Indiana Fever star’s injury hasn’t just impacted her team. It’s also been felt in the league’s plummeting TV ratings.
On “The Herd,” analyst Colin Cowherd didn’t mince words, comparing Clark’s sidelining to “Michael Jordan leaving the NBA,” a stark reminder of the rookie’s outsized impact on the sport’s momentum.
Colin Cowherd Compares Caitlin Clark to Michael Jordan
According to a report, nationally televised WNBA viewership is down 55%, and Fever national TV games are down 53% since Clark has been out.
On a recent episode of “The Herd”, Fox Sports analyst Colin Cowherd didn’t hold back on the significance of Clark’s absence.
“She is essentially the Sun at the beach. If she’s not out, nobody else is.”@colincowherd reacts to WNBA ratings dropping while Caitlin Clark is injured. pic.twitter.com/gMMAEudqTV
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 12, 2025
“She is essentially the sun at the beach,” Cowherd said. “If she’s not out, nobody else is.”
He added, “Be nice, WNBA players, to the lady that currently has her leg up, because she is giving the league a leg up. Fifty-five percent. That’s Jordan leaving the NBA. That’s what it is. When Jordan left, they lost 50% of their numbers.”
Cowherd went on to compare Clark to other culture-shifting athletes like Tiger Woods and Allen Iverson. But the highest praise came in likening her to Jordan himself, a compliment few ever receive.
While Cowherd made his point clearly, he may have actually undersold it. Clark’s influence on the WNBA could arguably be greater than Jordan’s was on the NBA, especially considering the NBA already had global stars like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson at the time.
The WNBA, despite boasting legends like Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Candace Parker previously, has never seen a singular player move the viewership, cultural, and commercial needle like Clark. And she’s only in her second year.
Clark’s Absence is Lowering the Fever’s Temperature
The second-year star has played in only four games this season and has missed Indiana’s past five. During that stretch, the Fever have gone 2–3, including their worst loss of the season, a 77–58 blowout to the Atlanta Dream.
In just four games before her injury, Caitlin Clark reminded everyone why she’s the engine driving the WNBA’s surge, averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 9.3 assists, including a triple-double in the season opener.
Fever head coach Stephanie White emphasized the team will prioritize Clark’s long-term health, taking a cautious approach to her return. But with TV ratings dipping and fan engagement noticeably quieter, the urgency is palpable. As Colin Cowherd bluntly framed it, Clark isn’t just a star. She’s “ratings, revenue, and relevance.” Until she’s back, the league will feel her absence at every level.
