The Caitlin Clark effect has already reshaped the WNBA landscape. But now, the Indiana Fever sophomore wants to make room for someone else – newly crowned NCAA champion Paige Bueckers. Appearing on ESPN’s Bird & Taurasi Show during Sunday night’s national championship broadcast, Clark issued a playful and pointed plea to the Dallas Wings.
She asked them to relocate another game to a bigger venue ahead of Bueckers’ pro arrival. The moment sparked buzz, not just about Clark’s influence, but Bueckers’ incoming impact.
Clark Pushes for Bigger Venues
During her ESPN appearance, Clark didn’t mince words. “Honestly, they should move every game to American Airlines,” she said, highlighting Paige Bueckers’ star power. “I think Paige has that type of draw—she’ll be able to bring those types of fans in.”
Clark was referring to the Dallas Wings’ decision to move one of their 2025 home games against the Fever to the 20,000-seat American Airlines Center to accommodate soaring demand. The second matchup, however, remains slated for the Wings’ usual 7,000-seat College Park Center. That’s where Clark stepped in.
“I know we’re playing there, one of our games,” she added. “Hopefully the other one gets moved too. We would appreciate that, Dallas Wings, if you could move the other one.”
It wasn’t just hype. In 2024 alone, six teams moved Fever games to bigger venues to match the ‘Caitlin Clark’ frenzy. But with Bueckers entering the league, Clark made it clear – this spotlight is big enough for two.
Bueckers’ Extraordinary Rise Fuels the Anticipation
Fresh off UConn’s dominant win over South Carolina Gamecocks, Bueckers is projected to go No. 1 in the upcoming WNBA Draft with the Wings holding the top pick. The timing of Clark’s request couldn’t be more poetic.
Bueckers led UConn through the tournament in electrifying fashion, dropping 30+ points in three straight games and setting a new program record with a career-high 40 points in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma Sooners. Her NCAA stat line this season? 20.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game on a remarkable 53.9% shooting.
She ended the tournament with 17 points in the final, becoming UConn’s all-time leading scorer in NCAA tournament play with 477 points. Only Clark (491 points) and Chamique Holdsclaw (479 points) stand ahead of her in overall history.
It’s evident that Bueckers isn’t just a future pro – she’s already a superstar. And if Clark’s plea is any indication, the WNBA may need more than just bigger venues to handle what’s coming next.