For fans of women’s basketball, this is a golden era for the sport. The WNBA is hitting new heights year over year, shattering attendance and viewership records along the way. One of the main reasons for the sharp rise in popularity is Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark, who is not only dominant on the court but also an admired and marketable figure off it.
Clark’s path to stardom has been well documented. In just nine months, she was the league’s No. 1 draft pick, Rookie of the Year, and Time’s Athlete of the Year in 2024. While fans just can’t seem to get enough, some players don’t seem to share that same enthusiasm after seeing the overwhelming attention Clark is receiving.
Why Does Bob Cousy Think WNBA Players Should Embrace Caitlin Clark?
Last season, Clark dazzled fans and outplayed her opponents with her long-range shooting and elite distribution. This year, the league responded with a more physical approach. Defenders have been playing Clark tight, and that has led to tension between the Fever and opposing teams.
Bob Cousy, who spent 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, recently commented on the WNBA’s Clark situation. According to the six-time NBA champion, players need to overcome any issues they have with the WNBA’s biggest star and work alongside her to grow the league.
Celtics’ legend Bob Cousy loves what Caitlin Clark has done for the WNBA.
(via @BostonGlobe ) pic.twitter.com/3wHe2CPyrZ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 10, 2025
“She’s had a tremendous impact on that league and their earning potential. They should be kissing the ground she walks on, not trying to foul her and get her out of the game,” Cousy said to the Boston Globe.
How Has Clark’s Presence Changed WNBA Attendance and Viewership?
The numbers don’t lie. When Clark is in town, WNBA teams see a spike in ticket sales. The Fever led the league last year in attendance figures, with over 17,000 fans per game, a significant jump from the 4,067 average in 2023.
Fans also tuned in in large numbers to see the Fever star in action. Of the 23 games that crossed the one million average viewership mark in 2024 (22 regular season games and the All-Star game), Indiana was involved in 21 of them.
“It’s a saleable product and she’s done a really good job selling it. It’s enjoyable … She’s exceptional,” added Cousy.
Clark played in all 40 regular-season games for the Fever last season. Unfortunately, a string of injuries has seen the 23-year-old feature in just 13 games this season. The WNBA will be hoping to have the talented guard back on the court as soon as possible as they look to push forward and build on the momentum they have generated over the last few years.
The refs need to call better games against the fever.Stop helping them.