Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese Headline Staggering WNBA Growth

The WNBA's growth has been extremely instrumental in so many facets over the last two to three years. From a talent and business standpoint, it has seen huge strides. But one of the biggest altering changes we have seen from last year to now is the astronomical growth in merchandise. Specifically, jersey sales.

Rookie's Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been the headliners of that immense change, but even rookie Kate Martin has contributed a great deal. These are the key aspects that will expand and grow the sport when it's all said and done.

According to the Boardroom and Fanatics as of July 2024, player-specific merchandise, including jerseys and T-shirts, has seen a staggering 1,000% increase in sales. Clark is at the top of the merchandise sales chart, Reese is second, and Martin is fourth. Shockingly enough, reigning MVP and 2024 projected MVP A'ja Wilson is fifth behind the three rookies and Sabrina Ionescu .

Sales of WNBA merchandise in its entirety are up over 500% vs. the same period last year, and fan gear sales over the first half of the season are the highest in league history.

Specifically for the Indiana Fever , who are in a seven-year playoff drought, jersey sales are up 1,193%. This is truly the Caitlin Clark effect, no matter which way you try to sway it.

Fanatics reported that Clark had the highest jersey sale of any draft pick in any sport within the company this season, and as the playoffs near, the growth that Clark and Reese have created will only continue to thrive. The two have been as impactful to their respective sport as any athletes we have ever seen.

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