In 2001, the WNBA season opener between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Houston Comets attracted 2.44 million viewers in front of their screens. This has since been the record for a women's league match.
But this record could well fall this season because the Indiana Fever of Caitlin Clark came close for the third time this campaign. After her opening match against the Connecticut Sun which attracted 2.12 million viewers on ESPN2, the best scorer in NCAA history attracted 2.25 million people (CBS) during her second professional duel against the Chicago Sky ofAngel Reese.
And the third duel between the two rivals did even better, with 2.30 million viewers on ESPN!
“It’s good for the game, good for women’s basketball, but also good for women’s sport”
The last match between the two players attracted a lot of people to the stands of the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, with the rappers Chance the Rapper and Lil Durk, the actor Jason Sudeikis, but also Jalen Brunson and Sheryl Swoopes, who had hugged Angel Reese for a long time after the meeting.
“It’s good for the game, good for women’s basketball, but also good for women’s sport”, explained the rookie from Chicago. “You see NBA players, rappers, legends who have played in the league for a very long time, coming out and showing their support. You know everyone is watching what's going on right now. »
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell admits she has never experienced this in seven years in the WNBA.
“Today was a really good time to be a part of.” she explained during the last match against Sky. “The atmosphere, the media, the fans, the families, the kids… I think it was a good atmosphere for us. I think women's basketball as a whole has taken a big leap forward today. »
